Preparation of Personal Information Forms “PIF”:

At the Eligibility Interview, conducted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, refugee claimants are issued a Personal Information Form (PIF) that must be completed and submitted to the Immigration and Refugee Board in Ottawa, Ontario within 28 days. A Clinic caseworker will assist the Refugee Claimant to complete the PIF to ensure that all of the information required by the Immigration and Refugee Board is provided. Several meetings will occur between the caseworker and the Claimant until both are satisfied that the PIF is complete and persuasive.

Legal and political research:

After the Personal Information Form has been submitted to the Immigration and Refugee Board, the Clinic will conduct legal and political research for each Claimant to prepare as strong a case as possible for submission to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Political research of the Claimant’s country of origin is conducted to better inform the Refugee Board of the current political conditions in the Claimant’s country of origin.

Refugee case preparation:

Prior to the Refugee Hearing before the Refugee Board, the Claimant will meet several times with the Clinic Counsel assigned to the Claimant’s case. These meetings are intended to prepare the Claimant to respond to questions that will be asked of the Claimant at the Claimant’s Refugee Hearing.

Pre Removal Risk Assessment “PRRA”:

If the refugee hearing is unsuccessful, a refugee claimant will have the right to apply to remain in Canada under the provisions of a Pre Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) conducted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This, too, is a formal application process for which the Clinic will assist the Claimant. Clinic Counsel will, with the Claimant’s help, prepare written submissions to demonstrate that events in the Claimant’s country of origin , subsequent to the hearing, have rendered the country unsafe for the Claimant’s return.

Medical Explanations and Work permit applications:

Upon completion of the Eligibility Interview, the Claimant will be issued a package of documents instructing the Claimant to undergo a medical examination. In the absence of any medical problems the refugee claimant will be eligible to apply for a work permit. The Clinic will assist the claimant with the preparation of the work permit application.

Representation before the Refugee Board:

All Claimants will have counsel from the Refugee Clinic present at their hearing. Designated counsel will ensure that the Claimant’s case is presented in the best possible way and that the Claimant receives a fair hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Preparation of the Application for Permanent Resident Status:

If the Claimant’s refugee case is successful, the Clinic will assist the Claimant in the preparation of the Claimant’s application for Permanent Resident Status. It is this application that will provide the Claimant with official permanent resident status in Canada.

Federal Court Applications:

In the event that the Claimant’s refugee claim is unsuccessful and it is determined that the Refugee Judge (Board Member) made legal errors resulting in a negative decision, the Claimant may be eligible to apply to the Federal Court of Canada for a new hearing. The Clinic lawyer will assist the Claimant with all aspects of the Federal Court Application.

Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications:

Some Claimants, despite losing their Refugee claim, may still have humanitarian reasons requiring them to remain in Canada. In such a case, the Clinic will assist the Claimant to make a Humanitarian and Compassionate application for permanent resident status in Canada.