Ottawa, March 30, 2012 — Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney offered his appreciation today to the Windsor detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for charges laid against an immigration lawyer and her assistant for allegedly counseling individuals to misrepresent themselves to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
In their ongoing efforts to investigate immigration fraud, the RCMP has charged Windsor lawyer Sandra Zaher and her assistant, Diana Al-Masalkhi, for allegedly counseling individuals to make refugee eligibility claims based on fraudulent stories, in violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
“I commend the outstanding work of the Windsor Detachment of the RCMP which resulted in these charges being laid,” said Minister Kenney. “All levels of government and law enforcement must continue to work together to protect the integrity of Canada's immigration system.”
Charged with a number of criminal code offences, Zaher and Al-Masalkhi will appear in Windsor court on April 26, 2012.
CIC encourages Canadians to report immigration fraud by calling the Border Watch Tip Line at 1-888-502-9060.
Follow us on Twitter (new window to unfollow or login):
twitter.com/CitImmCanada
For further information (media only), please contact:
Ana Curic
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
