Immigration changes to stop 'marriage fraud' increase risk of domestic violence

Proposed amendments to Canada's immigration regulations will further endanger abused women and children, according to the Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC).

Last week was Prevention of Violence Against Women Week, but recently proposed amendments to Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations could increase domestic violence by trapping women and children in abusive homes.

The proposed changes will affect sponsored partners who have been in a relationship with their sponsors for two years or less, with no children at the time of application. The sponsored partner and sponsor will be required to live together in a conjugal relationship for two years during a "Conditional Permanent Residence" period. If the sponsored partner leaves during that time, she could face deportation.