900 Dominicans Denied Visas for World Youth Day

[MommC]

While they weren't the only youth denied visas to Canada to take part in the World Youth Day events being held in Toronto, it was interesting to note that in the small article in our local paper the Dominican contingent was the only nationality refused visas for which numbers were given.
Kinda makes you wonder doesn't it????
320,000 youths are expected to converge on Toronto soon for the celebrations for which the Pope has said he will attend. Too bad the DR young people will not have the opportunity to participate and see our beautiful country. While no reason was given for the refused visas in the article those of us who have had dealings with the process have to assume it is because of the 85% (as per consulate staff figures) who don't return to the DR after their visa has expired. Seems like the Dominicans who are successful in obtaining visas have closed the door to their own by their actions.

[Criss Colon]

They give visas to the "Terrorists,but not to Dominicans.Guess they know who causes the most trouble!CRISCO

[Jodi]

Just for the record...my Dominican mother in law just obtained a visitor visa to come to Canada. We just found out last night! She may, in fact, be able to get here in time for the Pope's visit.

Here is an excerpt for The Toronto Star dated July 9th:

OTTAWA (CP) - Federal Immigration staff followed standard procedures in rejecting visa applications from several hundred pilgrims who wanted to see the Pope in Toronto this month, a spokeswoman said today.
More than 900 pilgrims from the Dominican Republic were set to travel to Canada for World Youth Day but instead had their visa applications rejected, many for financial reasons.

However, visas were approved for more than 1,800 of their countrymen who met Canada's requirements such as providing proof of their intentions to return home after the event, said Susan Scarlett, spokeswoman for Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

[ricktoronto]

Originally posted by Jodi
However, visas were approved for more than 1,800 of their countrymen who met Canada's requirements such as providing proof of their intentions to return home after the event, said Susan Scarlett, spokeswoman for Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

In 1999 Canada approved 202 visitors visa from the DR ( in contrast to over 220,000 visitors from Canada to the DR, so 1,800 is a massive volume by comparison. And a 2/3 (1,800 or 2,700) approval rate is probably about 66.5% points higher than the normal approval rate.

[Fred]

Do you really think that they care about World Youth Day, or do they just want to get to Canada?

These stats were not created in a vacuum, they know why they deny Dominicans.

Terrorists on the other hand could probably have shown enough financial stability to be able to enter Canada as a visitor.

[AnnaC]

What a shame they don't test for mental stability as they do for financial.

[Tony C]

Originally posted by Anna Coniglio
What a shame they don't test for mental stability as they do for financial.

If they did nobody would be able to get in for 2 very good reasons.

1. No SANE person would want to go to Canada!

2. No SANE person would want to see the Pope!

The Catholic Church organizing a "World Youth Day?" Doesn't anybody see the irony and danger in this?
I guess they will never learn!

Tony C.

[Fred]

I guess that sane people would only want to go to the crime infested US.

Tony C. have you ever been to Canada? I am assuming that you live in the US. Many Americans would love to live in Canada but cannot, just ask Ruben Carter.

[AnnaC]

Tony hates everything. Just ask him. Tony can you name ten things you like about anything not including young dominican women?

[Meredith]

I think that is awful that the dominicans can not get visas. I know that each church in the Dominican has to sponsor 2 or 3 individuals to attend. They are going because they want to see the pope, not because they want to stay. Why do so many people have such a low faith in Dominicans and their intentions?