The Canadian government recently released photos and information of 30 suspected war criminals thought to be living in Canada.
The alleged war criminals are from Africa- Somalia, Ghana and Nigeria — South Asia, Yugoslavia and Iraq. According to the Canadian government, they were “involved in activities that relate them to war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.”
Analysts say that Canada is taking a tougher line against illegal immigration and refugee applications. Canadian immigration officials have indicated plans to revoke citizenship of 1,800 people who obtained their status through fraud, the Wall Street Journal reported.
In asking for help rounding up the suspects, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said: “Those who have been involved in war crimes or crimes against humanity will find no haven on our shores.”
Canada takes pride in its open immigration policies and has been criticized — by its own citizens and the United States — for being too lax in some respects. There is a move to align Washington and Ottawa’s border policies.
How the suspects entered the country is key to determine whether procedures are failing. As one government spokesperson said, “no system is foolproof.”
There is nothing wrong with being open to immigrants. That reflects Canada’s outlook on the world. But keeping out dangerous war criminals, terrorists and people capable of doing harm to society should be part of the policy, too.
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