The complexity of refuge : the profound effect of law and policy on refugee claimants

Abstract

There are a variety of laws and policies in Canada that refugee claimants must navigate in seeking asylum in Canada. This study describes how law and policy affect the experiences of refugee claimants in the Maritime Provinces, and Canada more broadly. This project builds on existing knowledge of this topic, and adds a more narrative-based and maritime-focused perspective to the academic conversation. Data collection was completed in the form of 9 qualitative interviews. 6 service providers for refugee claimants, and 3 refugee claimants with relevant experience in Nova Scotia were interviewed about the implications of law in their experiences. The service providers had anywhere between 4 and 20 years experience working with refugees and refugee claimants, and all of the refugees that were interviewed went through the refugee determination process in the last 10 years. The major themes identified include: Fairness, Time Frames, Detention, the Maritimes, and Permanent Residency Application. This project adds to the academic conversation by focusing on what is seen by claimants and providers, to significantly affect the experiences of refugee claimants and the implications of these issues; it, opens up opportunities for more research regarding the themes and associated experiences described here and their relevance to the Maritime Provinces more specifically.