The family unification program is one of the main sections of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada's (CIC) policy that supports the reunification of long-term Canadian citizens or recent immigrants with their families. This policy is lenient enough to allow Canadian citizens to sponsor any family member to join them in the country with the intention of hosting and capitalizing on them (Ellermann, 2020). The objectives of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act allow the residence and reunification of a citizen's spouse, same-sex partner, parents, grandparents, children under 22 years, and other dependants ("IRCC Minister Transition Binder 2019: Family Reunification - Canada.ca", 2020).
When compared to the United States Family-Based Immigration Program based on eligibility, Canada's unification program is more accommodating. The United State's policy is more strict in its eligibility, as it only allows visa sponsorship for the immediate family, including children, spouses, and parents. It limits a person to sponsor at most five family members. The Canadian government is more enthusiastic about the unification than the United States' government who sees this as chain migration to the country. Although the government supports nuclear families, regulations have been placed on sponsoring family members for visas, unless they qualify for a job skill (Duleep & Regets, 2018).
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According to the United Nation's regulations, the United States' Family reunification program is lengthy and there is need for documentation that provides evidence of relation. This is usually provided through DNA and an Affidavit of Relationship (AOB), which takes long to process. Individuals from countries like Iraq often have a hard time obtaining the US reunification visa because of regulations that required them to meet certain requirements. The Australian family reunion program is also much stricter than the Canadian family unification program and not well established. Not all refugees are allowed to apply for a family reunion (Okhovat, et.al.2017).The application only allows visas for immediate family members (Larsen, 2013).
The family unification program in Canada has its pros and cons. One of the advantages is that it allows families to thrive and earn a double income, this contributing to the country's economy. The immigrants also increase the population, providing more labor for the economy (Duleep, 2017). However, one disadvantage is that the increase in immigrants stains the country's economy and healthcare systems. The family unification program is quite expensive, and this affects the citizen's taxes. The immigrants also make very little contribution to the economy because most of them, especially the elderly, are unable to work due to their age or have limited English language skills (Bjornson & Bhaskar, 2015).
IRCC Minister Transition Binder 2019: Family Reunification - Canada.ca. (2020). Retrieved 3 November 2020, from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/transition-binders/minister-2019/family.html
This article defines the Canadian immigration policy of the family unification program. This article was picked because it explains in detail the process of family immigration and the people who are eligible for this.
Ellermann, A. (2020). Human-capital citizenship and the changing logic of immigrant admissions. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies , 46 (12), 2515-2532.
This journal analyzes the Canadian family unification program. It is important because it points out that Canada's intention in promoting this policy is human capitalization.
US Family Reunification. (2020). Retrieved 3 November 2020, from https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/us-family-reunification.html
This article defines and explains the family unification program in the United States. This article was chosen because it provides enough details to enable the comparison of the United States family unification program and Canada's similar program.
Duleep, H. O., & Regets, M. (2018). Family unification, siblings, and skills (No. 271). GLO Discussion Paper. http://hdl.handle.net/10419/183512
This paper analyzes the regulation imposed by the United States Government on immigration. It is relevant because it provides details on who is eligible for a sponsorship visa.
Larsen, G. (2013). Family migration to Australia – Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 3 November 2020, from
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1314/FamilyMigration
This article has provided detailed information on the Australian refugee family unification program. It was chosen because it allows for apparent differences and comparison to Canada's family unification program.
Okhovat, S., Hirsch, A., Hoang, K., & Dowd, R. (2017). Rethinking resettlement and family reunion in Australia. Alternative Law Journal , 42 (4), 273-278. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1037969X17732705
This article observes the laws an requirements for refugees in Australia to apply for family unification. It is relevant as it defines that not all refugees can apply for this policy and who are eligible.
Bjornson, L., & Bhaskar, R. (2015). Pros and Cons of Family Reunification - New Canadian Media. Retrieved 3 November 2020, from https://newcanadianmedia.ca/pros-and-cons-of-family-reunification/
This article identifies the impacts, advantages, and disadvantages of the Canadian immigration policy on family unification. It is relevant because it enables one to recognize how this policy affects society and the economy.
Duleep, H. R. (2017). Family-friendly and human-capital-based immigration policy. IZA World of Labor . doi: 10.15185/izawol.389
This article relates Canada's economy to the immigration policy. It talks about the economic impact, pros, and cons that the family unification program has on the country.
References
Bjornson, L., & Bhaskar, R. (2015). Pros and Cons of Family Reunification - New Canadian Media. Retrieved 3 November 2020, from https://newcanadianmedia.ca/pros-and-cons-of-family-reunification/
Duleep, H. O., & Regets, M. (2018). Family unification, siblings, and skills (No. 271). GLO Discussion Paper. http://hdl.handle.net/10419/183512
Duleep, H. R. (2017). Family-friendly and human-capital-based immigration policy. IZA World of Labor . doi: 10.15185/izawol.389
Ellermann, A. (2020). Human-capital citizenship and the changing logic of immigrant admissions. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies , 46 (12), 2515-2532.
IRCC Minister Transition Binder 2019: Family Reunification - Canada.ca. (2020). Retrieved 3 November 2020, from https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/transition-binders/minister-2019/family.html
Larsen, G. (2013). Family migration to Australia – Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 3 November 2020, from https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1314/FamilyMigration
Okhovat, S., Hirsch, A., Hoang, K., & Dowd, R. (2017). Rethinking resettlement and family reunion in Australia. Alternative Law Journal , 42 (4), 273-278. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1037969X17732705
US Family Reunification. (2020). Retrieved 3 November 2020, from https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/us-family-reunification.html
