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Thorold immigration lawyer says COVID-19 is putting pressure on his refugee clients

International Brock students could also be in for a legal headache this fall
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(Stock image)

Thousands of refugees waiting to have their case tried amidst the pandemic are in limbo after board hearings shut down in March.

Thorold lawyer Jonathon Jurmain, one of two practitioners of immigration law in the Niagara region says many of his clients are facing high-stress levels after having long-anticipated hearings postponed.

"The latest we heard is that they will reopen on June 11 but the date is being pushed back every week. Some handle it better than others. People who have had their hearings canceled are disappointed, and some have spouses and family back home in danger or unsafe conditions," he tells Thorold News.

The hearings for his clients who come from Niagara and outside of the region are held in Toronto in tight office spaces ill-suited for social distancing says Jurmain.

"I am not sure what they are planning to do about that situation."

The hearings are life-changing events for individuals who sometimes get word the same day whether they get to stay in Canada, or swiftly have to leave the country after their claims get dismissed.

But for now, it is a matter of waiting inside some of the regional shelters where many stay while settling.

Regular immigration cases that can be filed online are still being processed with roughly the same timelines as before the pandemic started.

This fall, however, could see a massive legal headache for the many international students that reside in Niagara that realistically will have to go back to schools operating on an online basis only.

"That is something international students aren't supposed to do. Not to mention the significant tuition that some people might not want to pay for online classes only. They will feel it before others do."

Most of his student clientele comes from Niagara College, which has closed their campus until further notice.

There are more indications students are feeling a strong impact of the crisis.

A recent government report revealed that students now worry about using up their savings or having a scarce outlook for jobs in the future.