July 10, 2006
Dear Mrs. XXXXXX:
I am writing to you, as my Member of Parliament, with an Immigration issue that I have recently played a part in, and am lobbying your interference and assistance to help rectify this rather unjust decision. I am faxing all pertinent details to your office, including the contract, the application, and the denial letter.
My husband's cousin, Vetania XXXXXX, is from the Dominican Republic. She was recently offered a job as a farm labourer near Ottawa (Armprior) by XXXXX of XXXXX Farms. He received approval by HRSDC, confirmation# XXXXXXX through the NOC code 8431 - General Farm Workers. It is listed on this approval that there is no formal education requirements to fulfill the duties of this position. XXXXXX (the Employer) drafted a contract and offered Vetania a position on his farm. Vetania readily accepted his offer, as this would be a very good way for her to earn money that would enable her to return to the DR to finish her University Education at the end of the contract. It is very difficult for citizens of the Dominican Republic to earn sufficient money in their country to pay for extras like education. They are thought to be a rather poor country, and the average person only makes about $200 US/month, so to save for a University education is impossible because the wages they make are barely enough to scrape by.
On May 4, all necessary approvals were granted by HRSDC for XXXXXX (the Employer) to hire Vetania, and it was time for Vetania to take all necessary paperwork to the Embassy in Santo Domingo, DR, to apply for a work visa. Along with her, she brought the following to the Embassy:
$130 US application fee, to be paid to the Canadian Embassy
Personal Bank Statements
A Police Clearance Certificate
4 passport-sized photos
A copy of her job contract with a Canadian employer
A copy of the authorization from HRSDC
Her passport and cedula
A completed application for a Canadian Work Visa
Letters of Recommendation from previous employers
After Vetania deposited her paperwork, she was asked to return to the Embassy on May 18. During this appointment, she was given back most of her paperwork (including her passport) and she was asked to go to the Clinica Abreu for medical examinations. These medical examinations cost nearly $200 Canadian, and entailed of a physical, an X-Ray, and a test for HIV. When she was done at the clinic, she had to return to the Embassy and deposit her passport once again. Since Santo Domingo is 3 hours away from her hometown, it is quite a taxing venture to apply for a visa, but one that would be validated if she was granted a visa. All in all, Vetania spent well over $600 CDN to apply for this visa. In a third-world country like the Dominican Republic, this amount is huge (more than 2 month's wages), and I feel terrible that Vetania has now lost this money.
Vetania's passport was sent to Haiti for processing for six weeks, and finally, on July 6, Vetania was advised that she could go to Santo Domingo to retrieve her file. She was heartbroken when she received her passport, without visa, and denial letter. The Canadian Embassy in Haiti denied her application on these grounds: "LACK OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS WHICH WOULD ENABLE YOU TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT YOUR DUTIES". This is the most confusing part of all. Vetania speaks very good English. There was nothing, absolutely nothing on the application that even hinted that she didn't speak English, and she was never asked to give an interview to showcase her abilities. Vetania has taken advanced English courses, and corresponds with me frequently via e-mail, in English, to practice. I don't understand how they made this incorrect assessment.
At the bottom of the letter, it says, "This application is closed. Please note that any new information you wish to provide must be submitted with a new application and processing fee. Should you wish to reapply, I would suggest that you do so only if your situation has changed substantively or you have significant new information to submit." So it appears there is no recourse or appeal process? I am very disappointed in our Immigration process at this point. When we have cities like Calgary who are crying for workers, and shops are closing their doors due to lack of workers; a worker with 6 years of experience in gardening/farming operations, some University courses, good command of the English language, and $5,000 in the bank to sustain herself in Canada should the job not pan out, is denied a visa, on false pretenses. I spoke with XXXXXXX (the employer), and he is equally upset. He told me that last weekend, July 1, was his busiest weekend of the Strawberry-picking season. He talked to his workers all week, telling them how important it was for them to work on the July 1 weekend, because the strawberry crops needed to be picked. Only 5 showed up on Saturday, and NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON showed up for work on July 2, leaving his strawberry crops to rot. At least if Vetania was here, he would've had some help and been able to salvage some of the strawberries.
I am starting to wonder when our economy is going to improve, and when our Immigration system is going to be straightened out, especially in light of my personal experience. We, in Calgary, are screaming for workers, yet not enabling qualified and willing workers come into the country to do the jobs that many Canadians don't want or are too spoiled to do. In light of this, what is the future of our incredibly-important Agricultural Industry? Are our Government Representatives going to continue to make bad choices and allow this to continue to happen?
I implore you to interfere with this decision, XXXXXX. I am an avid Progressive Conservative supporter and I think our new Prime Minister Steven Harper has done many wonderful things in a very short time for Canada. I think you, XXXXXX, as well, have represented me very well and would like you to continue for many years to come as a positive influence in Parliament. I respect your stance taken against the Liberals on their lack of following through on Immigration policies. Please help us to change this decision and show that you stand by your speech of October 3, 2005.
I have detailed a summary of our Work Visa Immigration experience on
www.dr1.com, which is a very popular Dominican Republic message board. There are many comments in this thread, and at this point, 969 hits have viewed the thread. Here is the address of this thread:
Dominican obtaining work visa for Canada?
I thank you in advance for your assistance in rectifying this assessment.
Sincerely,
Trina Burgos
I have XXX'd out Vetania's last name, as well as the name and address of my Member of Parliament. If anyone (Canadian) would like to help by writing a letter to my Member of Parliament, as well as CC'ing to Steven Harper, please let me know by PM, and I will send you the details so you can do so.
Thanks all for your comments and assistance. I may not be fruitful in attempting to overturn this decision, as I know how Immigration does not readily help the citizens of the Dominican Republic, but I would like to know that I have done everything in my power to try and do so.
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My letter to my MP
