GOOD NEWS FROM IMMIGRATION CANADA

Friends,

Yesterday I was pleased to announce the successful deportation of convicted terrorist killer Mahmoud Mohammad Issa Mohammad from Canada.

Using loopholes and endless appeals available under Canada’s old, broken immigration system to delay his deportation for an astonishing 26 years, Mohammad represents just how broken Canada’s immigration and refugee determination systems had become under previous governments.

Since 2006, our Conservative Government has taken concrete actions to prevent this sort of abuse in the future. Through our long overdue reforms, we are sending a strong message that Canada will no longer be treated like a doormat by terrorists like Mahmoud Mohammad Issa Mohammad.

You can find my official statement below.

As always, please feel free to share this e-mail with friends and family.

Sincerely,

Hon. Jason Kenney, PC, MP

Calgary Southeast

http://www.jasonkenney.ca

Statement — Minister Kenney issues statement on Mahmoud Mohammad Issa Mohammad

Ottawa, May 13, 2013 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, today issued the following statement regarding the removal over the weekend of Mahmoud Mohammad Issa Mohammad:

“Mr. Mohammad entered Canada in 1987 and was first found to be inadmissible to Canada on the basis of misrepresentation and subsequently found to be ineligible to make a refugee claim because he had been a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and had participated in a terrorist attack on an Israeli plane, which killed an Israeli citizen in 1968.

"Mr. Mohammad was convicted of that crime in Greece, but was freed before completing his sentence as part of the resolution of another hostage taking. He then misrepresented himself to enter Canada, where he remained until his removal over the weekend.

"This convicted terrorist was able to use numerous and repetitive appeals and loopholes under Canada's old, broken immigration system to remain in Canada for 25 years. Fortunately, since 2006, the Government has acted to strengthen the integrity of Canada's immigration system. The introduction of biometrics, reforms to Canada's asylum system, and the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, among many other measures, all help to avoid another convicted terrorist like Mr. Mohammad being able to remain in Canada for so long.

"Canada's immigration and refugee determination system is one of the most generous in the world. However, its integrity can only be maintained by ensuring that individuals like Mr. Mohammad, whose heinous crimes and misrepresentations mean they are not legally admissible to Canada, are identified and removed.”

For further information (media only), please contact:

Alexis Pavlich
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650

 CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.

Website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/statements/2013/2013-05-13.asp