A Regina man has been sentenced and fined $75,000 for falsifying federal immigration documents.
Abdulkader Ali pleaded guilty to submitting false immigration sponsorships to Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and counselling a refugee to provide false information on their IRCC application and counselling someone to sign as a sponsor without their knowledge.
Ali had been working as a refugee field worker with a local sponsorship organization at the time.
According to a news release from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the investigation began in February 2019 when IRCC received a complaint from a Regina-based group called Justice Seeks.
It alleged that Ali used his position for personal gain, accepting money from refugees in exchange for promising to fast-track their immigration applications.
The complaint was referred to CBSA, which launched an investigation that ultimately led to a search warrant at Ali’s home, where several electronics were seized as evidence.
CBSA says at least 31 falsified documents were submitted to IRCC.
“This investigation and conviction demonstrates the dedication of CBSA’s Criminal Investigators as they work to maintain the integrity of our country’s immigration system,” said Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree in Thursday’s release.
CBSA stated the conviction was the culmination of an “extensive investigation” by CBSA investigators in Regina.
