Canadian and U.S. immigration and citizenship: Views from the inside Adrienne Christie & Thomas Curley November 23, 2010

Demographics Canada USA Total population: 33.7 million (2009) Native Born: 79.4% (2006) Foreign Born: 19.8% (2006) Origins of foreign born: Asia: 40.8% Europe: 36.8% Central and South America: 6.2% Total population: 307 million (2009) Native Born: 87.5% Foreign Born: 12.5 % Origins of foreign born: Latin America: 53.1% Asia: 27.7% Europe: 12.7%

The Pillars of Immigration 2009 CanadaUS Permanent Family Based 25.8% (65,200)66% (747,000) Employment/Economic Based 60.9% (153,498)12.7% (144,000) Humanitarian Based13.3% (33,480)15.7% (177,000) Other--Diversity Visas: 4.2% (48,000) Temporary Workers178,478(H&L visas) 402,443 Students85,140(F1 visas) 353,798 Visitors1 million +(B1/B2 visas) 3.5 million

United States Administration and partnerships: The way it works (not inclusive) US Congress – Makes laws, legislation defines most numerical limitations for family and employment based visas. (Exceptions for immediate relatives of USC) -- Oversight; committees, sub-committees. Department of State – issues visas and assists Americans overseas Department of Homeland Security (DHS) DHS Immigration trilogy: USCIS – adjudicates applications and petitions CBP – controls border ICE – investigates, detains, removes

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) HQ-Washington, DC Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Domestic Operations Service Center Operations Enterprise Business Fraud Detection and National Security Refugee, Asylum and International Operations 29 International Field Offices 8 Asylum Offices Refugee Corps Domestic Operations 87 Field Offices in 50 States National Benefits Center Service Center Operations 4 Service Centers Enterprise Services 136 Application Support Centers 2 Tier One Call Centers 2 tier Two Call Centers Fraud Detection and National SecurityOperations are embedded in most of the offices identified above

US flows – DHS & State partnership 1. DHS USCIS receives and adjudicates petition in US. 50 types of benefits. 7 million applications per annum. 2. (if beneficiary overseas) USCIS notifies State Department of approval. 3. State Dept National Visa Center channels approval to overseas consulate. 4. State Dept Consular Affairs interviews, issues visa. 5. Beneficiary boards plane and arrives at US POE. 6. DHS CBP inspects and makes admission to US.

Settlement, Integration and Citizenship CIC USCIS Citizenship Requirements New guide (2009) and test (2010) 85% of immigrants become citizens of Canada $668 million/year available for grants and contributions Citizenship requirements New test, guide and educational tools (2009) 60% of immigrants become citizens of the US $8 million/year for grants

Appeals Canada US Immigration and Refugee Board (family class and removal orders) Federal Court Federal Court of Appeals Supreme Court Administrative Appeals (AAO) DOJ/Executive Office for Immigration Review (Immigration Judge, and Board of Immigration Appeals) Circuit Courts (Federal) Courts of Appeals Supreme Court

Some shared priorities Strengthen the security and integrity of the immigration system, including enhancing anti-fraud efforts. Information Sharing. Provide effective customer service through timely processing and service modernization. Support integration and participation in civic culture, promoting civic principles and citizenship.

Personal Reflections “Geography has made us neighbours. History made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies…” - John Kennedy, Address to Canadian Parliament. “The US is our trading partner, our neighbour, our ally and our friend….and sometimes we’d like to give them such a smack!” - Rick Mercer, This Hour has 22 Minutes

Resources Department of Homeland Security ( US Citizenship and Immigration Services ( US Customs and Border Protection ( US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( Department of State ( Department of Justice/Executive Office for Immigration Review ( Department of Justice/Board of Immigration Appeals (

Questions?