Juno News - August 28, 2024


Citizenship to ILLEGAL Immigrants？ Toronto residents react


Episode Stats

Length

14 minutes

Words per Minute

169.07533

Word Count

2,527

Sentence Count

146

Hate Speech Sentences

21


Summary


Transcript

00:00:00.000 Permanent residency should be given to people who are legally here.
00:00:04.300 They didn't follow the rules.
00:00:05.760 I just think that people should be able to move freely in this world.
00:00:08.900 Paying under the table, you know that? You know that's going on?
00:00:12.960 No, you're making it up.
00:00:22.520 While the city of Toronto isn't just satisfied with being a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants,
00:00:28.200 they're now taking it upon themselves to advocate for regularizing illegal immigrants across the country.
00:00:34.820 That means, in English, putting illegal immigrants on a pathway to permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
00:00:41.560 Last week in the building behind me, the city hosted its first ever Undocumented Residence Day,
00:00:47.300 in which the deputy mayor of Toronto, Asma Malik, advocated for regularizing all undocumented residents
00:00:54.440 and said that immigration rules uphold systems of colonialism and anti-black racism.
00:01:00.900 We amplify calls from community leaders and advocates for an immediate, broad, and inclusive regularization program
00:01:09.720 that provides pathways to permanent resident status for all undocumented residents.
00:01:15.360 Together, we will continue to dismantle systems of colonialism and anti-black racism,
00:01:21.120 and we reflect on the enhanced vulnerability that racialized communities with precarious immigration status experience.
00:01:29.020 Funny that we're now being told by far-left radical activists masquerading as political leaders
00:01:35.080 that immigration rules uphold systems of colonialism and anti-black racism,
00:01:40.400 when in reality, the immigration rules in place in this country right now have facilitated record population growth.
00:01:47.820 How racist are these immigration rules if we're getting millions of people into this country every single year
00:01:53.240 through different streams of our immigration rules?
00:01:55.820 And according to activist groups like the Migrant Rights Network,
00:01:59.860 there could be up to 500,000 illegals living in Canada.
00:02:04.180 Half a million illegals.
00:02:05.240 And the politicians behind me, including Olivia Chow, it would seem,
00:02:10.880 want to give permanent residency and citizenship to all 500,000 illegals.
00:02:16.660 What does that mean for those that immigrated to this country legally?
00:02:20.040 What does that mean for the rules that we have had in place for many years now
00:02:23.720 to facilitate proper immigration, not illegal immigration in this country?
00:02:28.840 If the argument is that immigration rules uphold systems of colonialism and anti-black racism,
00:02:37.060 then why have immigration rules at all?
00:02:39.760 Why not just have a complete open border and let anyone into this country with any background,
00:02:45.520 any set of skills, because according to the activists inside City Hall,
00:02:49.960 immigration rules are simply just racist.
00:02:52.880 We're going to ask people in this city what they think about the statements made by the deputy mayor of Toronto.
00:02:59.340 We're going to ask them if they think undocumented residents or illegal immigrants
00:03:03.380 should be given citizenship in this country.
00:03:06.620 And what they think about immigration rules in general.
00:03:09.340 Should there be immigration rules at all?
00:03:10.900 Or should we just have a completely open border and let anyone into this country?
00:03:14.600 Let's see what the residents of Toronto have to say.
00:03:17.340 I feel like there shouldn't be borders at all.
00:03:20.780 You don't think so?
00:03:21.560 No.
00:03:21.820 So you think that immigration rules are just, you know, well, the city says that immigration rules
00:03:27.540 uphold colonialism and anti-black racism.
00:03:30.940 Do you agree with that?
00:03:31.640 I agree with the city taking all of our tax money and not being accountable for it.
00:03:39.380 I don't know about the immigration.
00:03:40.700 Immigrants built this country, so we need immigrants.
00:03:44.640 We do.
00:03:45.020 We let in 1.3 million this year, the most ever.
00:03:48.260 And I don't think they're to blame for the hardships we're going through.
00:03:50.860 I think it's just lack of management because we're making, we get paid more,
00:03:53.920 we pay more than our fair share of taxes.
00:03:56.140 Like, with all these skyscrapers going up, I was thinking about it last night, 25 years ago,
00:04:01.840 they weren't expecting to have this many skyscrapers.
00:04:05.420 Where's all this money going?
00:04:06.540 Why do you think homes, for example, have doors and gates to provide security?
00:04:14.460 Do you think that there's a difference there?
00:04:16.480 Like, don't you think a country should be able to determine who and who doesn't come into their country and live there?
00:04:21.560 Did the natives get to determine who got to come here?
00:04:24.600 Yeah. The indigenous people of this country.
00:04:29.260 Well, I suppose not, but every other country has immigration rules.
00:04:33.640 What do you think about that?
00:04:34.620 Do you think that it's right for some countries to have immigration rules and not others?
00:04:39.200 No, I just think that people should be able to move freely in this world.
00:04:42.620 They're advocating for the federal government to grant illegal immigrants permanent residency.
00:04:48.060 What do you make of that?
00:04:49.140 I'm not so sure.
00:04:50.160 But it all depends on deserving cases if you have to review individually.
00:04:53.780 Do you think that something like this incentivizes people to not follow the rules that many people did by coming to this country, by following the immigration rules?
00:05:10.440 That is true. They didn't follow the rules.
00:05:13.120 But the problem with following the rules, I would say a challenge for them, is that have you ever seen, heard or read of the lineup and the bureaucracy involved in following the rule for immigration?
00:05:26.240 Oh, I've heard yes.
00:05:26.980 Well, there you have it. You have your answer right there.
00:05:29.640 Now, if they were to make it an efficient system to follow the rules in which they can reject or accept things, and I think that would be far better than trying to create an incentive for the illegal bunch.
00:05:47.720 Most of the immigrants come here because they're brought in as temporary workers, that sort of thing.
00:05:54.120 Well, of course, those are the illegal ones. I'm talking about those that have entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas.
00:05:59.900 Or overstayed their visas, yes.
00:06:01.180 So it's particularly important for that. Do you agree with that call?
00:06:03.280 Absolutely.
00:06:04.340 Yeah? And why is that?
00:06:05.040 Because if we were to send all the illegal immigrants back, as you're calling them, the construction industry in this city would fall apart.
00:06:13.480 These are people who are working, have jobs, are paying taxes off their wages, and they get nothing for it.
00:06:20.820 This is not the Canadian way of doing things. Apparently, it is.
00:06:26.780 So, yeah, we are not friendly to those people who are coming here and are contributing.
00:06:32.360 So, yes, we regularize them. Absolutely.
00:06:34.560 Okay, because if you're here illegally, then you wouldn't be able to work a proper wage because you wouldn't be able to have a bank account.
00:06:41.500 So those that are working and are illegal will be working under the table.
00:06:45.360 So temporary foreign workers and permanent residents, they can work. See what I mean?
00:06:50.680 Paying under the table, you know that? You know that's going on?
00:06:54.780 Well, I mean, if you're an illegal...
00:06:56.300 You're making it up. You're making it up.
00:06:59.040 Okay.
00:06:59.220 You don't know how they get their paychecks.
00:07:01.200 Most of them have to pay the same kind of tax as we do and get nothing for it.
00:07:06.620 So, yes, absolutely, those people need to be regularized.
00:07:10.020 We're taking advantage of them, as we do with temporary foreign workers and a lot of other people.
00:07:14.780 We ask them to come in, contribute to the country, and give them very little back.
00:07:18.520 And then when we're tired of them, we send them back.
00:07:21.140 No, that is not the way we should be doing things.
00:07:23.020 You think deportation should end for all illegal immigrants in Canada? That's what the city wants.
00:07:27.940 You're stretching it.
00:07:29.400 What we're doing is, if somebody commits a crime, then they go into the criminal justice system.
00:07:34.120 Otherwise, let's treat them like my grandfather was treated, who came here from England without any documents,
00:07:41.560 got himself a job and settled here, and I'm a result of that.
00:07:45.100 It was okay to do it when it was British citizens, part of the empire.
00:07:51.580 If you were white, then it was okay.
00:07:54.800 Now we're in a different time, and suddenly it's not Canadian to keep these people.
00:07:59.420 Yeah, regularized people who are coming here to do the same thing, I'm assuming your grandparents did, and my grandparents did.
00:08:05.920 We're asking Torontonians if they agree with the City Hall, City Hall last week that they called to give status to all undocumented residents in Canada.
00:08:15.060 Do you agree with that call?
00:08:15.960 Yeah, sounds great.
00:08:16.880 And why is that?
00:08:19.320 No one's illegal, man.
00:08:21.100 So do you think that people who are undocumented, who have not followed the immigration rules,
00:08:27.200 do you think that impacts those that have their immigration status?
00:08:30.420 No.
00:08:31.200 And why not?
00:08:32.940 Because, listen, we got jobs for everyone.
00:08:35.040 We got more than enough to go around.
00:08:38.240 It's about how it's distributed.
00:08:39.940 Last question I have for you is the deputy mayor last week said that immigration rules uphold systems of colonialism and anti-black racism.
00:08:48.040 Do you agree with that?
00:08:48.700 Do you think that the immigration rules are racist in nature?
00:08:52.280 Yes.
00:08:52.980 Look at how open we were to Ukrainians versus how open we are to refugees in the conflicts that are happening now,
00:09:02.720 not just in Palestine, but in Congo, Sudan.
00:09:05.520 We're not taking anywhere near the level we are, and it's because we have a preferential treatment for white people coming to this country.
00:09:11.660 It's good to welcome people into our country because our country is already, like, we have so much land that is not being used.
00:09:17.820 So why not put it to good use?
00:09:19.620 Do you think that this would reward those that have broken the law and then disincentivize others to follow immigration laws in the future?
00:09:28.280 I think that, like, giving people crap for immigrating, even if it is illegally, is wrong because it's still, like, they're most likely fleeing from a situation that is not good for them.
00:09:39.920 So I think it would actually, if we welcomed people, I think it would help, like, in making people feel like they could come legally to Canada.
00:09:49.180 And the last question I have for you is the deputy mayor last week said that the immigration rules uphold systems of colonialism and anti-black racism.
00:09:57.200 Do you agree with that?
00:09:59.300 That it upholds it?
00:10:00.880 Yeah.
00:10:01.340 That allowing immigrants upholds?
00:10:02.640 No, no.
00:10:03.160 That the current immigration rules upholds systems of colonialism and anti-black racism?
00:10:08.800 I think so, yes.
00:10:10.200 And why is that?
00:10:11.660 Well, because we, it's basically just allowing, not allowing people of colour to enter Canada if they want to.
00:10:18.180 And if they feel like they, like, if they apply and if they are denied, it's kind of giving them that, like, oh, they are not welcome here.
00:10:25.540 So it's still prioritizing, like, white people over people of colour for entry.
00:10:31.420 Illegal immigrants, they don't want them to be deported.
00:10:33.900 They want to give them all a status, essentially.
00:10:37.120 Do you agree with that, Cole?
00:10:37.940 Illegal immigrants?
00:10:38.880 Yeah.
00:10:40.060 Probably not.
00:10:40.780 No, I don't agree.
00:10:41.380 No?
00:10:41.940 Why is that?
00:10:43.240 I feel like if you need, if they want to incorporate people into our country and, like, our system, they should at least be legal.
00:10:50.940 That's it.
00:10:51.400 And do you, the deputy mayor said that the immigration laws in Canada facilitate anti-black racism and colonialism.
00:10:59.340 I'm guessing you don't agree with those statements either?
00:11:01.580 It would not make sense for me to agree with that, yeah.
00:11:03.920 Permanent residency should be given to people who are legally here, who, you know, go through a process, either a study permit, work permit, or any other thing, but not to illegal immigrants.
00:11:16.160 And do you think that giving PR to illegal immigrants lowers the value of Canadian citizenship for those that came to this country the right way and legally?
00:11:26.600 Yes, I think so.
00:11:27.580 I think priority should be given to people who came legally.
00:11:30.860 Either it's any permit, but priority should be given to legally people, yeah.
00:11:34.580 Many people don't know this, but Toronto is a sanctuary city.
00:11:38.880 It gives city services, shelters, and other programs to illegal immigrants, and it won't disclose their immigration status.
00:11:47.160 What do you make of that?
00:11:48.240 They've been doing it for over a decade now.
00:11:50.840 I had no clue about it.
00:11:53.340 I think they should look at the policies.
00:11:55.640 Whoever needs it, they should give it to them.
00:11:58.440 But I don't know about that, yeah.
00:12:00.280 The last question I have for you is the deputy mayor of Toronto.
00:12:03.220 Last week, she said that the rules in place for immigration, the immigration rules, uphold systems of colonialism and anti-black racism.
00:12:12.940 How would it be racist?
00:12:14.400 I think Canada is, you know, based on different culture-oriented people.
00:12:20.040 I don't think it's based on racism, yeah.
00:12:23.100 Because people from different worlds, like different parts of the world, they come here.
00:12:27.880 I don't think it's based on racism, no.
00:12:30.540 Well, we heard from Torontonians that no one is illegal, that there shouldn't be borders at all,
00:12:35.900 that illegal immigrants should be given all of the rights that are given to permanent residents and citizens,
00:12:42.220 and that the immigration system in Canada is itself racist.
00:12:46.380 In full agreement with what the SETI councillors were saying in the building behind me last week,
00:12:52.100 I guess it's not that surprising, however.
00:12:53.780 After all, it was Toronto residents who voted for Olivia Chow.
00:12:57.600 But think about this.
00:12:58.460 With all of the problems facing our country, facing this city,
00:13:01.920 the fact that our shelters are full of migrants, the fact that people are unemployed,
00:13:07.540 the fact that no one can really afford to buy a home anymore in this country, and everything is so expensive,
00:13:12.440 we have elected officials in the biggest city in Canada calling on the federal government
00:13:18.380 to allow all illegal immigrants to stay as permanent residents,
00:13:22.360 and then to turn around and say that anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise.
00:13:27.340 Actually, I don't think anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise.
00:13:30.520 I think people across this country are fed up with the fact that they can no longer afford to purchase a home,
00:13:36.100 that they can't seem to get entry-level jobs,
00:13:38.300 that their cities and their country is changing before their eyes,
00:13:43.060 and it was no longer the place that it was.
00:13:45.460 This country is extremely welcoming to immigrants.
00:13:48.760 The mayor herself is of an immigrant background.
00:13:52.640 Look around this country.
00:13:54.560 Business leaders, politicians have come to this country as immigrants
00:13:58.320 and have made something for themselves.
00:13:59.920 They've come here the right way.
00:14:01.520 They've come here legally.
00:14:02.720 So then to hear an elected official in this city tell us that our immigration system is racist and colonial
00:14:09.240 and therefore we need to allow illegal immigrants to come into this country and be given permanent residency
00:14:13.880 is a complete joke.
00:14:16.000 It devalues citizenship for those that have come to this country the right way,
00:14:20.020 who have followed the rules.
00:14:21.560 I'm almost certain that if I were to ask this question to people living somewhere else across this country,
00:14:25.720 of course we would get different answers.
00:14:27.020 But to those living in downtown Toronto, living in the bubble of Toronto,
00:14:33.160 I guess it's no surprise to hear that they believe Canada should have no borders at all.
00:14:38.700 From downtown Toronto, signing off, Harrison Falkman.
00:14:41.760 We'll be right back.
00:14:53.900 We'll be right back.
00:14:54.300 We'll be right back.