TORONTO – The RCMP charged a South Asian lawyer and her assistant with immigration fraud for allegedly counseling individuals to misrepresent themselves to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
Windsor lawyer Sandra Zaher and her assistant, Diana Al-Masalkhi, face charges for allegedly counseling individuals to make refugee eligibility claims based on fraudulent stories, in violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
“I commend the outstanding work of the Windsor Detachment of the RCMP which resulted in these charges being laid,” said Jason Kenney, who has been labelled Minister of Deportation. “All levels of government and law enforcement must continue to work together to protect the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.”
Windsor RCMP said the charges follow a two-month probe into Zaher Immigration Law Office, which claimed to have branches in Damascus, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah and Riyadh.
“The RCMP is committed to pursue charges against those responsible for the fraudulent abuse of Canada’s immigration system,” Sgt. Steven Richardson said in a release.
“We want to ensure that the integrity of our national programs are maintained.”
Richardson said the probe stemmed from information that was provided to police alleging the suspects were counselling individuals to make refugee eligibility claims based on fraudulent stories, reported Sun News.
The law firm’s website claims it provides “effective, quality legal services in a prompt mode.”
“After 9/11 immigration law has completely changed and the Zaher Immigration Practice is up to date in terms of these changes,” the site promises. “Further, our rates are extremely competitive.”
Charged with a number of criminal code offences, Zaher and Al-Masalkhi will appear in Windsor court on April 26, 2012.
Zaher, who also claims to be a doctor, is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and earned a Doctorate from the University of Toronto, her firm’s site says.
CIC encourages Canadians to report immigration fraud by calling the Border Watch Tip Line at 1-888-502-9060.
