Immigration in the News | Bellissimo Law Group

Canada’s New Temporary Policy Protecting Unaccompanied Minors in Refugee Claims

Sophia Zerai — Wed, 27 May 2026 14:15:51 +0000

Effective 19 May 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a temporary public policy exempting unaccompanied minors from new ineligibility rules affecting asylum claims. The policy ensures that minors without a parent or legal guardian in Canada remain eligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), reflecting ongoing humanitarian considerations within Canada’s asylum system.

A separate temporary policy confirms continued access to open work permits for certain asylum claimants whose applications are deemed ineligible for referral, subject to eligibility requirements and applicable fees.

These measures form part of IRCC’s continued adjustments to Canada’s immigration and asylum framework, balancing system integrity, access to work authorization, and protections for vulnerable individuals.

Read full announcement here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/public-policies/unaccompanied-minors-asylum.html

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Global News Interviews Mario Bellissimo on ICE at U.S. Airports Impacting Canadians

blgpc_web — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:08:27 +0000

Mario D. Bellissimo was interviewed by Global News on the increased presence of ICE officers at U.S. airports and what this means for Canadians travelling or transiting through the United States.

He notes enforcement is highly visible and U.S. border officials continue to have broad discretionary powers. Canadians may face secondary inspections, device searches, delays, or refusals at the border. Mr. Bellissimo emphasizes that once in the United States, Canadians are subject to U.S. law, and Canada cannot override decisions made by U.S. authorities. If detained, contact a US immigration lawyer immediately.

Watch the interview here: ICE agents at U.S. airports | Watch News Videos Online

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Mario Bellissimo Analyzes Bill C‑12 as Senate Nears Final Reading

blgpc_web — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:50:01 +0000

Canada’s proposed immigration overhaul, Bill C-12, is moving toward final Senate approval despite pointed concerns raised during committee review and by leading members of the bar. As reported by Law360 Canada, a Senate committee advanced the bill without amendment, even after another Senate committee recommended removing key immigration provisions over constitutional and rule-of-law concerns. The debate centres on far-reaching measures that would expand executive discretion, introduce new refugee ineligibility rules, and broaden information-sharing powers across jurisdictions. Critics caution that certain provisions including authority to cancel entire classes of immigration applications in the “public interest” and tighter timelines affecting refugee claimants risk creating legal uncertainty, limiting procedural safeguards, and triggering constitutional challenges. Concerns raised before the Senate include the potential for discriminatory or overly broad use of discretionary powers, retroactive refugee ineligibility measures, and privacy implications tied to expanded data-sharing regimes

Mr. Bellissimo has warned that while reform may be necessary to address backlogs and system pressures, measures that undermine fairness and accountability could ultimately weaken, rather than strengthen, Canada’s immigration framework. As Bill C-12 proceeds to third reading, the focus now shifts to whether final debate will address these rule-of-law concerns and ensure that reforms remain consistent with Canada’s constitutional principles and humanitarian commitments.

Read the full Law360 coverage here: Senators greenlight immigration overhaul despite Senate study echoing bar’s objections – Law360 Canada

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Stronger Together: Lessons from Hockey – Connection and Community

blgpc_web — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:37:03 +0000

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We at Bellissimo Law Group are incredibly proud to celebrate the launch of an inspiring new community program, Stronger Together: Lessons from Hockey, featuring former Captain and Toronto Maple Leaf legend Rick Vaive.

This initiative is the result of many months of thoughtful collaboration led by Mr. Bellissimo and a passionate team of contributors who believe deeply in the power of community, mentorship, and positive role models. At its core, Stronger Together is about helping children understand that they belong exactly as they are — that you do not have to wear a jersey to belong, to be valued, or to achieve great things.

Using hockey as a bridge, the program shares lessons around teamwork, resilience, and character — lessons that extend far beyond sport. It encourages young people to believe in themselves, to feel supported by their community, and to recognize that inspiration and success come from showing up, supporting one another, and growing together.

Our hope is that Stronger Together will change children’s lives in real and lasting ways — building confidence, connection, and purpose — and that it will continue to expand, reaching more schools, more families, and more communities over time.

Be sure to check out clips from Mr. Bellissimo’s recent radio interview, where he shares insights into the vision behind the program and why this work matters so deeply.

We invite anyone who would like to learn more, get involved, or support this initiative to reach out. Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight the stories, moments, and impact behind this incredible program.

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Mario Bellissimo Featured in Law360 on Canadian Immigration Reform at a Crossroads

blgpc_web — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:36:19 +0000

Law360 Canada featured Mario Bellissimo for his leadership as Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s immigration modernization working group and as co-lead of the CBA’s response to Bill C-2, the proposed Strong Borders Act. In the interview, he underscored that Canada’s immigration system is at “an inflection point,” cautioning that Bill C-2 risks consolidating power and triggering constitutional challenges instead of focusing resources on facilitation and efficiency.

The CBA has released a 105-page report with 100 recommendations for reform, offering a roadmap for an immigration system that is proactive, transparent, and collaborative, while upholding Canada’s commitments to family reunification, refugee protection, economic contribution, and nation-building.

📖 Read the full article here: CBA offers Parliament ‘better way’ forward to reform beleaguered immigration and refugee system – Law360 Canada

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Mario Bellissimo Discusses IRCC Technology and Visa Refusals on CBC News

blgpc_web — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:46:11 +0000

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CBC News has published a feature examining growing concerns about Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) use of computer-assisted decision-making tools in immigration processing.

Mario Bellissimo was interviewed and shared examples of refusals where critical documents were overlooked despite being included in the application. Mr. Bellissimo cautioned that such practices raise serious issues of procedural fairness and transparency in Canada’s immigration system.

As Mr. Bellissimo noted to CBC: “It worries me as an applicant and as a lawyer for an applicant: what is actually being looked at?”

The piece also explores the growing role of tools such as Chinook and advanced data analytics at IRCC, and the risks these technologies pose when applications are processed too quickly. Immigration professionals across Canada have echoed similar concerns.

Read and watch the full CBC News feature here: Immigration lawyers concerned IRCC’s use of processing technology leading to unfair visa refusals | CBC News

At Bellissimo Law Group PC, we continue to advocate for a fair and transparent immigration system where every application is given the careful consideration it deserves.

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Mario Bellissimo Speaks to CTV News on A Queer Artist’s Deportation Case and Rising Global Persecution Risks

blgpc_web — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 15:22:30 +0000

Mario Bellissimo was interviewed by CTV News for examining the case of Tarun Godara, a queer artist in Sudbury facing deportation to India despite fears of persecution. While not counsel on the case, Mario spoke to the broader risks facing marginalized communities in today’s climate, emphasizing the disconnect between legal protections on paper and lived realities on the ground. He also raised concern about the limits of humanitarian applications in preventing removal.

Watch the interview and read the full piece here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/northern-ontario/article/queer-artist-in-sudbury-terrified-of-consequences-if-hes-forced-to-return-to-india/

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Can a Convicted Felon Enter Canada? Mario Bellissimo Weighs In for the Toronto Star

blgpc_web — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 17:45:34 +0000

With the G7 summit approaching, many are asking whether U.S. President Donald Trump, now a convicted felon, could be stopped at the Canadian border.

As Mario Bellissimo shared with the Toronto Star, the answer is legally complex. While a typical traveller with similar convictions might be found inadmissible under Canada’s immigration laws, factors such as Mr. Trump’s diplomatic status, the nature of his discharge, and Canada’s national interest all come into play.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), inadmissibility can hinge on equivalency assessments and the discretion of border officers — discretion that becomes especially relevant when international diplomacy is involved.

This situation highlights the critical importance of understanding Canada’s inadmissibility rules, and how they’re applied differently depending on the traveller’s profile, purpose of entry, and broader geopolitical context.

Read the full story in the Toronto Star here: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/donald-trump-is-a-convicted-felon-could-he-be-stopped-from-entering-canada-for-the/article_b2f0745d-3716-4646-826d-ef0aca923675.html

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Mario Bellissimo Shares Legal Insight with CBC News on Controversial Bill C-2

blgpc_web — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 21:42:45 +0000

As debate intensifies over the federal government’s proposed Bill C-2 (Strong Borders Act), immigration experts are raising serious concerns about its far-reaching implications for asylum seekers and migrants.

Bellissimo Law Group’s Mario Bellissimo, a leading immigration lawyer, was interviewed by CBC News this week to discuss the bill’s impact on due process and Canada’s refugee protection system.

In an interview with CBC, Mario warned that the legislation risks making the immigration process more rigid and less fair:

“The bill creates arbitrary distinctions—like 14 days or one year after June 2020—that remove the possibility for individualized assessment…It will make the system more cumbersome than actually helping to resolve the backlog.”

The bill proposes sweeping powers allowing the government to suspend, cancel, or pause immigration and refugee applications, including those already in progress, if deemed in the “public interest.” It would also enforce strict deadlines on when refugee claims must be made.

While Mario acknowledged the importance of maintaining the integrity of the immigration system, he cautioned against overly broad measures:

“It wants to send messages to individuals who want to traverse the system over many years without legitimate claims that this is not a destination of choice for you,” he noted. “But in doing so, it risks targeting individuals in genuine need of assistance.”

As the bill makes its way through Parliament, Mario and other legal experts continue to advocate for a more balanced, compassionate, and procedurally sound approach to immigration reform.

Read the full news article here: Experts warn of Bill C-2 as ‘anti-refugee’ and ‘anti-immigrant’ giving Canada ‘unchecked powers’ like the U.S. | CBC News

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Mario Bellissimo Offers Insight on Lower Voter Turnout Among New Canadians

blgpc_web — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 14:42:05 +0000

Ahead of Election Day, OMNI News aired a special report highlighting key information for new Canadian voters, featuring insights from Mario Bellissimo.

As part of OMNI’s pre-election coverage, the segment aired Thursday, April 24, across their national Arabic, Punjabi, Filipino, and Mandarin newscasts. Mario Bellissimo was invited to comment on the unique challenges new Canadians face at the polls. Citing Elections Canada data from the last general election, the story addressed why new citizens tend to vote at lower rates—often due to confusion around registration and eligibility. The segment aimed to inform and empower new voters just in time for election day.

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