Refugee field worker fined $75,000 for immigration fraud

A Regina refugee field worker has been fined $75,000 and handed two years’ probation and 200 hours of community service after pleading guilty to immigration fraud following an investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Abdulkader Ali pleaded guilty on Feb. 17 in Saskatchewan Provincial Court to two offences under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) related to falsified immigration documents, the CBSA said.

The investigation began in February 2019 after Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) received a complaint from Justice Seeks, a Regina‑based group.

The complaint alleged that Ali had used his position as a refugee field worker with a local sponsorship organisation for personal gain by accepting money from refugees in exchange for promises to fast‑track their immigration applications.

IRCC referred the complaint to the CBSA, which then launched a criminal investigation into the allegations.

Recently, an Ontario employment agency owner was fined $70,000 and handed a two‑year probation order after a joint CBSA and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) immigration investigation into illegal foreign worker placements at Banff‑area hotels.

Evidence and scope of fraud

As part of the investigation, CBSA officers executed a search warrant at Ali’s residence in Regina.

Officials said several electronic devices were seized as evidence during the search. Investigators determined that Ali had submitted at least 31 falsified immigration applications to IRCC, the CBSA stated.

Ali’s conduct involved the preparation and submission of documents that misrepresented information provided by refugee applicants.

The falsified applications were submitted in connection with sponsorship and other immigration processes overseen by federal authorities.

Sentencing and official response

Ali pleaded guilty to one count under section 127(a) of the IRPA for submitting false immigration sponsorship documents to IRCC.

He also pleaded guilty to one count under section 126 for counselling a refugee applicant to provide false information on their application and counselling a person to sign as a sponsor without their knowledge.

“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. I want to thank the CBSA for their commitment and for bringing those who violate Canada’s immigration laws to justice,” said the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, in the release.

Janalee Bell‑Boychuk, Regional Director General, Prairie Region, Canada Border Services Agency, said the conviction follows an extensive investigation in Regina.

“The Canada Border Services Agency works tirelessly to uncover immigration fraud schemes, gather evidence and pursue prosecution of offenders. This successful conviction is the culmination of an extensive investigation by CBSA Criminal Investigators in Regina. We will continue to investigate and pursue prosecution of individuals who abuse Canada’s immigration system and safeguard asylum seekers from exploitation,” she said.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious immigration activities through the Border Watch Line at 1‑888‑502‑9060.

Earlier this year, two Saskatchewan firms were charged with multiple offences under provincial immigration and foreign worker protection legislation.

Available federal indicators related to immigration fraud: