January 23, 2026 Interview on RedFM Discussing Immigration Challenges

Analysis of Canadian Immigration System Challenges and Responses

Raj Sharma, provides a comprehensive analysis of the Canadian immigration system’s critical challenges, including massive application backlogs, the rise of unauthorized “ghost consultants” using AI, and government policies aimed at reducing temporary resident populations. He further details the complexities of security-based inadmissibility findings, particularly for applicants with past service in foreign security forces, and critiques the government’s contradictory approach to managing these systemic issues.

The Systemic Crisis of Application Backlogs and Legal Recourse

Canada’s immigration system is facing a severe crisis, burdened by a backlog of over one million applications. This has led to exceptionally long processing times across all categories: visitor visas can take three to five months, study permits six to ten months, permanent residency applications one to four years, and citizenship applications two to three years. In response to these delays, many applicants resort to legal action by filing a mandamus application in Federal Court, which seeks to compel the government to fulfill its duty and process their file. However, this legal avenue has its own pitfalls, as illustrated by a recent case involving 430 Chinese international students. Their mandamus applications were suspended after the Department of Justice determined that a single, unauthorized individual likely prepared all of them using one email address and boilerplate language, which is a violation of court rules regarding representation. This case highlights how the immense backlog is pushing applicants toward solutions that can carry significant legal risks.

The Emergence of Ghost Consultants and AI-Driven Fraud

A growing concern within the immigration system is the proliferation of unlicensed “ghost consultants” who are leveraging technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs). These unauthorized representatives generate numerous applications using identical, boilerplate text, which compromises the integrity of the system. Immigration authorities are actively detecting this activity by identifying patterns, such as multiple applications linked to a single email address or credit card, or discovering identical cover letters and personal narratives. A specific example cited involved 40 visitor visa applications from Manila that shared the same cover letter and other supporting documents. The consequence for applicants caught using an undeclared representative—even if the application itself contains no factual errors—is a severe five-year misrepresentation ban. The government itself is also employing technology to enhance program integrity and identify fraudulent patterns, including in refugee claims where multiple applicants present identical stories.

Government Policy on Reducing Temporary Resident Numbers

The Canadian government is actively implementing a policy to significantly reduce its temporary resident population, which currently stands at approximately three million. With about one million temporary statuses set to expire this year, the government aims to cut this population by 20-25%, bringing the total number of temporary residents down to 5% of Canada’s overall population. This reduction, amounting to hundreds of thousands of people, is being enforced through new restrictions on Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and other pathways to permanent residency. While many temporary residents, such as those in the International Mobility Program or seasonal agricultural programs, never expected to stay permanently, this policy is a harsh reality for the thousands who had skilled work experience and legitimate hopes of transitioning to permanent residency. These individuals now face the difficult prospect of needing to leave Canada.

Critique of Government Backlog Management Strategies

A sharp critique is offered regarding the federal government’s contradictory approach to managing the immigration backlog. The speaker points out the illogical strategy of reducing the number of public servants responsible for processing applications while simultaneously claiming to want to clear the backlog, stating, “you can’t suck and blow at the same time.” A cynical view is presented that the backlogs may be tolerated or even implicitly encouraged, as the long waits may pressure applicants to give up and withdraw their files. Furthermore, the speaker raises concerns that the government could use new legislative powers to cancel backlogged applications “en masse,” presenting it as a necessary measure to clear the system rather than addressing the root cause of processing failures.

Security Inadmissibility and Geopolitical Complications

The complex issue of security-related inadmissibility, governed by Sections 34 (terrorism) and 35 (human rights violations) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, is examined in detail. These provisions pose significant challenges for applicants with prior service in foreign security forces, particularly from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. For example, individuals who served in the Punjab Police, Indian Army, Border Security Force (BSF), or certain political parties like the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) are facing increased scrutiny. The situation has been exacerbated by deteriorating diplomatic relations, specifically with India, which has led to a halt in the information-sharing agreement that once helped clarify security concerns. As a result, these cases are becoming more frequent and complex, causing extensive delays and frustration for families. While resolution is often possible through legal challenges like mandamus applications or by providing evidence in response to procedural fairness letters, it requires a lengthy and arduous legal process.