Internal government research to assess public opinion in Canada about extending the provision of citizenship to illegal immigrants found a significant number of respondents opposed to the idea.
Pollsters asked focus groups if they’d support citizenship for “out of status” or “undocumented” immigrants who have either overstayed their temporary visas or entered Canada illegally.
Participants expressed “a wide range of opinions,” according to the April 24 survey report, which was commissioned by the Privy Council and first obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter.
While some believed there should be “a degree of flexibility” for those whose documentation had lapsed and were awaiting a new work or study permit, “a larger number” did not believe they should be given citizenship, the report said. The participants said giving out-of-status workers citizenship would be unfair to those working to immigrate to Canada legally….