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Ottawa Calls Gaza Visa Lawsuit Moot as Lawyer Seeks Emergency Court Order

Government lawyers argue the 5,000-cap program is closed, rendering requests for reference codes ineffective.

Overview

  • Toronto lawyer Hana Marku says about 50 Palestinian clients were unable to finish applications because required reference codes never arrived or were explained.
  • Her filing asks Federal Court to declare the delays unreasonable and to order Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to reopen and consider the blocked files.
  • In a letter to the court, government counsel wrote the policy cap has been reached and said issuing unique codes would not assist applicants.
  • IRCC said its policy requires processing only for applications submitted before the cap was hit and declined comment on the litigation.
  • As of July 29, IRCC reports 880 arrivals under the program, more than 1,775 people approved but not yet in Canada, and roughly 400 arrivals via other immigration streams.