Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - July 2008
The fight to stay in Canada continues for U.S. military deserters who object to the war in Iraq.
James Corey Glass, one such American soldier, is one of about 50 deserters who have applied for refugee status. Though the government is trying to have him deported back to the U.S., a court ruled last week that he could remain in the country while awaiting the ruling on his appeal.
The government's hard-line stance against these Iraq deserters is a remarkable turn-around compared with the Trudeau policies of the Vietnam era. In those days, it is estimated that over 20,000 Americans settled in Canada with little bureaucratic hassle.
The Conservatives argue that today's situation is much different because the Vietnam deserters were mostly conscripted while the present soldiers joined the army voluntarily. Furthermore, Canadian immigration laws, particularly with regards to refugee cases, have since been tightened.
Critics in opposition parties and advocate groups, however, are not convinced of these reasons. Many argue that the Conservative government is merely following their traditional policy of White-House-appeasement. In fact, the opposition went so far as to introduce legislation that would grant legal status to the deserters. However, that bill has been largely ignored by the government.
Should they be forced to return to the U.S., the exact consequences the soldiers would face are still unknown. U.S. Army spokespeople will not give a clear response on the issue but military experts predict strong action with the possibility, even, of a prison sentence.
Source: International Herald Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/13/america/canada.php
