A Canadian immigration court has ruled to deport a 29-year-old Nigerian individual whose marriage to a 79-year-old Canadian woman was found to be fraudulent.
This landmark ruling highlights the authorities’ commitment to tackling sham marriages used to circumvent immigration regulations.
Judge Michael Henderson announced the verdict after immigration officials presented convincing evidence that the 2021 marriage was primarily intended to secure permanent residency for the Nigerian man.
“The evidence clearly indicates that this marriage does not possess the essential attributes of a genuine relationship,” remarked Judge Henderson in his ruling.
Court documents highlighted several red flags, including the couple’s failure to provide credible accounts of their relationship, a lack of cohabitation and shared financial commitments, and a considerable age difference that raised doubts about the relationship’s legitimacy.
Canadian Border Services Agency investigators testified that the Nigerian man entered Canada on a visitor visa in 2019 and later sought permanent residency based on the marriage. His elderly Canadian wife, whose identity is protected, reportedly received financial compensation for her involvement.
Cases of this nature have sparked renewed discussions regarding immigration loopholes, with government statistics revealing a 17% increase in investigations into marriage fraud since 2020.
In response, the Canadian government has announced stricter vetting procedures for marriage-based residency applications, including mandatory interviews and enhanced documentation requirements. These measures aim to combat what officials describe as a growing trend of “convenience marriages” exploiting the immigration system.
This ruling is part of broader immigration reforms that have led to a 22% increase in rejection rates for spousal visas in the past fiscal year. Authorities stress that while Canada remains welcoming to genuine immigrants, fraudulent cases will face rigorous scrutiny and serious consequences.
