Firm Founder Raj Sharma Discussing PGWP Refusals on RedFM Punjabi Language Broadcast

Challenging ID Release Orders: The Minister’s Call of Duty

The Immigration Division (ID) of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) deals with two matters -admissibility hearings and detention reviews. Detention reviews are about balancing the liberty interests of the individual against the interests of society. However, and sometimes (luckily, not that often) even if you succeed in securing your client’s release, it’s not the

Successful JR on a Parent Grandparent Refusal on an Incomplete Resume

Consent by our lovely colleagues at the DoJ on a parent/grandparent refusal (an “incomplete” resume -with a gap some 45 years ago). The client had submitted a reconsideration with no luck. Thankfully the client had documented their efforts which allowed us to put together a complete record for the Court. We filed a JR against

Navigating the Immigration Detention Review Process: Timelines, Regulations, and the Importance of a Release Plan

When an individual is detained by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), it can be a highly stressful and confusing experience. However, detainees have the right to a detention review before the Immigration Division (ID) of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). You can think of a detention review as the immigration equivalent of a

Understanding Canada’s New Asylum Eligibility Rules: STCA, Bill C-12, and What It Means for Refugee Claimants

At the 2026 CBA National Immigration Conference, I presented on the significant changes introduced by the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (formerly Bill C-12, which received royal assent on March 26, 2026). These amendments added two new bars to the referral of refugee claims to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). The rules

Delgado v. MCI 2026 FC 497

This is a recent case from the Federal Court canvassing the requirement that a H&C officer approach such applications with empathy and assess in line with the jurisprudence and the evidence presented. In this case, the applicant was a 65 year old Cuban grandmother. She sought H&C relief which was denied in late 2024; Justice

Mandamus – the Remedy for Indolent IRCC Officers

For tens of thousands of applicants, the Canadian immigration process has devolved into a digital “black hole.” You submit your application for Permanent Residency or Citizenship, only to watch the “In Progress” status bar remain frozen. It’s not just PR or Citizenship applications there’s been inordinate delay across business lines at IRCC (like work permit

Firm Founder Raj Sharma Discussing CBSA Deportation and Enforcement on RedFM Calgary Punjabi Language Broadcast

Non-Disclosed Representative and a 5-Year Ban 

One of our recent files illustrates the edge of Canada’s misrepresentation rules and visa offices’ growing focus on program integrity.  Our client had sought a visitor visa to Canada (there was a PR application in play as well) but was sidelined by a misrepresentation finding and resulting 5-year inadmissibility finding under s. 40(1)(a) of the

Alert for Refugee Practitioners: Undisclosed Use of Generative AI in PRRA Decisions  

We want to alert colleagues about a troubling development involving the unauthorized and undisclosed use of generative AI by risk assessment decision-makers. This stems from a JR we handled regarding a PRRA refusal [Singh v. MCI IMM-8235-24].   In Singh we raised challenges at the intersection of administrative law, procedural fairness, and generative Artificial Intelligence

Firm Founder Raj Sharma Discusses Changes to Health Care Coverage for Temporary Residents on RedFM Calgary Punjabi Language Broadcast

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Navigating Alberta’s Referendum on Immigration: Insights from the CBC West of Centre Discussion

Navigating Alberta’s Referendum on Immigration: Insights from the CBC West of Centre Discussion Raj Sharma, founding partner of Stewart Sharma Harsanyi and an immigration lawyer with extensive experience in Canadian policy and practice, appeared on CBC’s West of Centre podcast on February 20, 2026, guest hosted by Jason Markusoff. The discussion focused on Premier Danielle

Update on Bill C-12: Immigration Measures Advance Without Amendments, Introducing Key Restrictions on Asylum Claims

Update on Bill C-12: Immigration Measures Advance Without Amendments, Introducing Key Restrictions on Asylum Claims   As immigration lawyers dedicated to helping clients navigate Canada’s complex immigration system, we at Stewart Sharma Harsanyi are closely monitoring developments in federal legislation that could impact asylum seekers and other immigrants. On February 23, 2026, The Canadian Press

Consequences of Criminality on Immigration Status

Raj Sharma KC, an experienced immigration lawyer, delivered his annual presentation to Student Legal Assistance (SLA) on the intersection of criminal law and immigration law in Canada. He outlines the critical hierarchy of immigration statuses, details how different levels of criminality affect non-citizens, explains the post-conviction enforcement process, and provides practical advice for SLA caseworkers

Firm Founder Raj Sharma Discusses Stricter Immigration Policy and Developments on RedFM Calgary Punjabi Language Broadcast

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

January 12, 2026 RedFM Interview Discussing Current and Future Canadian Immigration Policy Trends

Analysis of Current and Future Canadian Immigration Policy Trends This discussion between Rishi Nagar, News Director of RedFM Calgary and Raj Sharma KC, immigration lawyer and partner at Stewart Sharma Harsanyi, provides a critical analysis of the Canadian immigration system, focusing on the challenges and evolution of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), the increasing

Legal Leadership Recognized

Congratulations to Faraz Bawa, KC! We at Stewart Sharma Harsanyi are thrilled and incredibly proud to announce that our esteemed colleague, Faraz Ul-Haque Bawa, has been appointed King’s Counsel (KC) by the Province of Alberta! This prestigious honour recognizes Faraz’s expertise, integrity, leadership, and dedication to the legal profession. As a partner specializing in Immigration

2025 in Review: A Year of Profound Shifts in Canada’s Immigration Landscape – and What Lies Ahead

The end of the year is a natural inflection point; looking back towards the year that was and looking forward to the year that is to come. After 20 years of practice in this area, it is clear that this past year was a significant one in terms of immigration developments. As 2025 draws to

Firm Founder Raj Sharma Discusses Restrictions and Changes to Foreign Worker Policy with Harjap Bhangal of the UK on RedFM Calgary Punjabi Language Broadcast