Tuesday, April 7, 2020

The experiences of asylum seekers, temporary workers, international students, the undocumented and other migrants in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic have thus far been largely ignored by the government. Given that many of these individuals and their families have precarious immigration status, or are undocumented entirely, they disproportionately face severe limitations on their ability to ensure their survival. They may also be unsure of what supports are legally available to them and how certain laws apply to their specific situation.

Knowing their own legal rights during this unprecedented lockdown in Canada has therefore become increasingly important. Knowledge of their rights, however, is not enough. Governments can take a number of steps to protect the health and safety of migrants. In the process, officials will also be protecting the health and safety of all Canadians as well.

Read the full article by second-year JD student Liam Turnbull