Karen Gordon

Eponine ([email protected]) writes:
    > Hello Everyone,
    > I was wondering about the whole notion of enlisting the help of a
    > lawyer on an immigration case...What exactly does the lawyer do
    > besides check that the paperwork is in order? Is there any other
    > benefit to retaining legal representation on an immigration
    > application?
    > Sincerely,
    > Eponine

(K): You might want to read this, then decide for yourself. But certainly
stay away from anyone calling herself or himself an "Immigration Consultant"
unless he is registered on the newly-formed CSIC registry.
____________________________

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration, the sponsor of the
amendments, readily acknowledges that representatives can play a
constructive role in assisting applicants in all matters before the
Minister, an officer or the IRB.

The governments objective in introducing these amendments is therefore
intended to protect applicants from unscrupulous representatives while
preserving the integrity of Canadas increasingly complex immigration
system.

Effective April 2004, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officials
~~~~~~~~~~
will no longer deal with any fee-charging representative presenting new
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
applications who are not a member of a provincial or territorial law
society, the Chambre des notaries du Québec or who is registered with the
Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants.
__________________________________________________ ______________________


http://www.csic-scci.ca/index.html

An independent, not-for-profit body operating at arms length from the
federal government, the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC)
is responsible for regulating the activities of immigration consultants
who are members and who provide immigration advice for a fee.

CSIC's mandate is to protect the consumers of immigration consulting
services and ensure the competent and professional conduct of its members.

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If you can remain calm, you just don't have all the facts
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