Thread by @TheWillTruth

For those who insist that we're in some post-racial dream world, here's exhibit 1 - how visa office in Ghana requests the *exact* same documents requested by a visa office in the U.K.

London: if you do not send documents in time it could delay your application.

#cdnimm #racism

Ghana: we're going to throw a procedural fairness letter and a request letter together and warn you about s.16 IRPA right away. Note for non-immi folks: this is a way to fast-track a refusal + open up misrep. #cdnimm #racism

Also Ghana: you better answer truthfully or we will refuse you. The word 'refusal' shows up four times in the letter and 'truthful' twice.

Again for non-#cdnimm folks: can refuse a sponsorship on s.16 for not providing docs and s.40 for misrep. Usually a PFL sent IF concerns.

London: we're not only going to request these docs, but we're going to actually give you advice on how to fill it out properly. #cdnimm #racism

Ghana: you cannot email us. If you don't read instructions - we will refuse you. Side note: case specific enquiries/webforms can take several weeks to be received. They have severe file size limitations. Consistently, there is miscommunication around these docs. #cdnimm #racism

London - just email us back. No worries. (side note but not pictured - London returns emails/confirmations almost right away confirming documents received). The Officer gives their initials (i.e. who they are) and the correspondence is very cordial. #cdnimm #racism

Ghana - 30 days. We will decide with what we have. If you don't respond you will be refused. #cdnimm #racism

London: in case you missed it earlier. 30 days AND clear instructions that you can explain why you cannot provide a document. #cdnimm #racism

Imagine job interview process (or applying to an elite school): which I often compare immigration to. For one set of clients, you're given warm, welcoming, accommodating language. For another group, we tell you we're scrutinizing you, you'll be refused, don't lie. #cdnimm #racism

Been seeing this for yrs, but only started documenting this (w/ anti #racism lens I'm working to form). Reminded of many African clients I represented before developing this lens + how I just brushed this off as normal. Indeed, Gov's defense will be: more fraud in Africa. #cdnimm

We have a duty to ask about visa office 'training', 'standards.' To me this epitomizes anti-Black racism - discrimination based on geographical difference + race. A red carpet tarmac in UK; fences + gates in Africa. Result is folks are in fear + often w/o adequate representation.

In this tweet (which I hope doesn't need to have to become a report), I ask @CitImmCanada and @marcomendicino to invest resources into tackling anti-Black racism in #cdnimm and a strategy to combat these types of explicit (+many more implicit) racist actions underpinning system.

I think you might be interested in this thread @nkeung @RealSSAdvocates @samanthawrights @V4Families @publicjustice @cicelybelle_xo @canadavisalaw

#cdnimm #racism #antiblackracism

Also, because I know you are teaching a course on CRT right now Prof @JoshuaSealy and I think immigration as a vehicle for anti-Black racism is very much integral to both historical and current narratives.