[van-announce] [Fwd: Urgent - Solidarity Sponsors]

[Ingrid van der Kloet]

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Subject: Urgent - Solidarity Sponsors
From:    "OCAP" <ocap at tao.ca>
Date:    Fri, January 9, 2004 2:00 pm
To:      ocap at lists.tao.ca
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** PLEASE NOTE THAT SPONSORS ARE NEEDED BY NEXT WEEK **

This could mean the difference between deportation and life and safety in
Canada for people and their families - if you are able, take the time to
find out what is involved.

SOLIDARITY SPONSORS:
Help support the struggle of refugee claimants in Canada and Quebec

Dear Friends --

We are writing to ask you to seriously consider being a sponsor of refugee
claimants to Canada, either as an individual or as an institution.

For the past year, we have worked actively as support persons to the
Action Committee of Non-Status Algerians, as well as to other
self-organized refugee and immigrant groups in Montreal. As part of the
long-term struggle for the regularization of all non-status persons,
refugee claimants have often been obliged to find 'sponsors' before they
will even be considered for status in Canada.

Recently, dozens of non-status Algerians have been obliged to find
sponsors before Quebec immigration authorities will consider granting them
residence. If unable to find sponsors, these families and individuals are
likely to be deported to Algeria. The search for sponsors has become
urgent: one claimaint, for example, needs to find a sponsor by next week.

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, you can potentially
be a sponsor to a refugee claimant. Usually, your annual income must be a
minimum of $30,000, but please get in touch even if your income is
slightly lower than that amount. For the non-status Algerians, we are
particularly looking for sponsors who reside in the province of Quebec.
Immigration Canada and Immigration Quebec usually require a three to five
year commitment from sponsors.

Also, remember that 'group sponsors' are also possible in many cases; that
is, institutions like small businesses, unions and non-profits can sponsor
a claimant.

We can discuss the actual details of sponsorship, including sponsorship
criteria, once you get in touch.

Please do consider sponsorship as a tangible act of solidarity with the
worldwide struggle for justice and dignity for all migrants. Your support
is greatly needed.

In solidarity,
Sarita Ahooja (No One Is Illegal), Louise Boivin, Stephane Rituit (NEFAC),
Andrea Schmidt, Jaggi Singh (No One Is Illegal)

---> If you are considering being a sponsor, please e-mail
nooneisillegal at tao.ca, phone 514-728-5650, or send a letter by post to:

No One Is Illegal
1420 Sherbrooke West
Suite 404
Montreal, Quebec
H3G 1K5

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