A call for action to make interim change requirements for Afghan Sponsorship Programs: (1) remove the language assessment requirement (IELTS) for Skilled Workers Category Sponsorship Program; (2) remove condition of Refugee Status Determination document for community/ group of 5 sponsorship program 

The recent takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban has changed the lives of many Afghans including those living in Canada as there is increasing concern for safety of Afghan citizens. People of Afghanistan are in a dire situation as the economic, social, and political conditions continue to deteriorate in the country. Many people are lacking basic needs such as safe drinking water, food, and shelter. Unemployment is on the rise as girls and women are not able to work under Taliban Regime. The economy is hanging by a thread as prices continue to rise and cash runs low. Every Afghan citizen, especially minority groups are under immediate threat and fearing for their lives. The people of Afghanistan are facing a humanitarian crisis.

We appreciate that, in battling this situation, there are no easy solutions. However, there is urgency for some immediate change to the Canadian Immigration Program to address this crisis and allow for an easier migration process.

Most programs that were designed for assisting Afghans to immigrate to Canada have requirements that need to be modified to facilitate expedited migration. (1) The requirement for English proficiency and biometrics for Skilled Worker applications are not accessible in Afghanistan and therefore create a major barrier for those Afghans who apply to come to Canada through these programs. We request that arrangements to meet these requirements be made once the applicants have left Afghanistan. (2) The requirement for a Refugee Status Determination document for Afghan refugees sponsored by Groups of Five or Community Sponsors be dropped. The ability to access a Refugee Status Determination Process in a country of asylum will be very difficult and will prolong the process of private sponsorship by several months if not years. The goal should be to expedite any process by which Afghan refugees are able to come to Canada.

The removal of “refugee status document” requirement was successfully made during the Iraq War in 2003 and again during the Syrian Refugee Crisis in 2015. This was proven to be an effective intervention in helping refugees from Syria and Iraq and we hope to see a similar landmark in Canadian history for Afghans.

We look to you for leadership to implement these two changes. We believe in consistent and clear leadership and communication from an empathetic government. Our hope depends on this action; therefore, we humbly ask you to act with sufficient force and with timeliness. We look to the Canadian government to lead with humility and exemplary measures to assist the Afghan people.