Ali Esnaashari and Kaveh Shahrooz join to discuss the Canadian immigration implications of Canada’s decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization.

Topics Explored:

Historical Context of the IRGC: Understand the origins, structure, and global activities of the IRGC, including its role in the tragic downing of Ukraine International Flight PS752.

Conscription and Inadmissibility: Learn how mandatory military service in Iran leads to Canadian inadmissibility findings for individuals performing routine tasks, such as administrative duties or even playing for government-affiliated sports teams, with no meaningful connection to terrorist activities.

Legal Framework and Challenges: A detailed analysis of Section 34(1)(f) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, its broad application, and the low burden of proof that disproportionately impacts conscripts, alongside ongoing federal court cases addressing the definition of “membership.”

Policy Shortcomings: Insight into the Canadian government’s rushed designation process, the absence of exemptions for conscripts, and the lack of consultation with stakeholders or training for immigration officers.

Why This Matters: This designation has far-reaching consequences, affecting thousands of Iranians in Canada who face inadmissibility rulings despite having no ideological ties to the IRGC, and yet are barred from accessing humanitarian relief, and face lengthy and dubious ministerial relief processes.