Appealing Customs Seizures

Meurrens LawImmigration Trends

In addition to immigration law, Larlee Rosenberg also represents individuals who have had goods seized by customs. Our practice includes both administrative appeals, as well as federal court actions

Can Refugees be Extradited?

Meurrens LawRefugees

As the legal community continues to debate whether Bill C-49 is constitutional, the Supreme Court of Canada has indirectly touched upon the issue in Németh v. Canada, a decision about whether a refugee can be extradited to his/her country of origin to face charges. The answer is yes.

A Caution on Switiching from $400,000 to $800,000

Meurrens LawImmigration Trends

The Canadian Immigrant Investor Program re-opened on December 1, 2010. The requirements for the program have increased. Applicants will now have to prove a personal net worth of CAD 1.6-million (an increase from the previous $800,000) and make a passive $800,000 (an increase from the previous $400,000) investment with the Government of Canada.

Certainty of Intention and Immigration Trusts

Meurrens LawTax and Trusts

The Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal decisions in Antle v. Canada suggest that such professionals should make sure that their clients understand the nature of what a trust is before establishing an immigration trust.

Immigrant Investors and the $120,000 Myth

Meurrens LawImmigration Trends

The “common scenario” under the old immigrant investor program was that investors would pay financial intermediaries $120,000 to finance their loans to the Canadian government. At least 90% of immigrant investors paid this amount. However, those immigrant investors that paid $120,000 to the financial institution paid too much.

Visa Requirement Removed for Taiwan

Meurrens LawTemporary Resident Visas

Effective November 22, 2010, holders of ordinary Taiwan passports that contain a personal identification number and are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan will no longer require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit Canada.

Limitations on Citizenship by Descent

Meurrens LawCitizenship Applications and Revocations

There are two ways that a person can be born a Canadian citizen. The first is if a person is born in Canada. The second is if a person is born to a Canadian parent, also known as citizenship by descent.  However, it is important for Canadians abroad to note that as of 2009, citizenship by descent is effectively limited to one generation born outside Canada. The Legislation Section 3(3)(a) of the Citizenship Act (the “Act“) provides that: (3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person born outside Canada (a) if, at the time of his or her birth or adoption, only one of the person’s parents is a citizen and that parent is a citizen under paragraph (1)(b), (c.1), (e), (g) or (h), or both of the person’s parents are citizens under any of those paragraphs; Subsection 3(1)(b) of the Act provides that: 3. (1) Subject to this Act, a person is a citizen if (b) the person was born outside Canada after February 14, 1977 and at the time of his birth one of his parents, other than a parent who adopted him, was a citizen; Subsection 3(1)(c.1) provides that: 3. (1) Subject to this Act, a … Read More