The Immigration Journey of Spouses and Dependent Children of International Students: Eligibility, Application, Challenges and Options
8:30 am to 12:00 pm
This workshop will explore the different options available in the legislation for dependents of international students to come to Canada, the challenges they face and how to determine which option is best for each situation. Participants will discuss what should be included in a template application as well as how to adapt the template to the personal circumstance of each individual. The workshop will also cover the procedure for extending the stay during and after the principal applicant’s studies.
By the end of this workshop, participants should expect to:
- Develop an in-depth understanding of the relevant sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) related to dependants of international students.
- Be better equipped to advise students and their dependants on how to build strong applications.
- Develop a better understand of how to address potential concerns that processing officers may have when assessing applications from dependants of international students.
This workshop has been approved by CICC for 3.5 hours of RISIA/RCIC continuing professional development (CPD).
Facilitators
Imaru Baquero Manager, International Student Services (University of Lethbridge)
Imarú (Ima) Baquero has worked in international education for over 12 years, in both college and university environments, and currently works as the Manager, International Student Services at the University of Lethbridge. Her responsibilities have included international strategic planning, international student support and advising, education abroad, partnership development, and international student enrolment management. Imarú has been a RISIA since 2017. She is one of the instructors of the CBIE International Students and Immigration Education Program. She is a member of the CBIE Immigration Advisory Committee and also serves as a co-chair of the CBIE Student Advising Professional Learning Community.
Patrick Bissonnette, International Student Advisor at (Université Laval)
Patrick Bissonnette is passionate about immigration, international education, and intercultural understanding and has been involved in the field for almost 20 years. Since 2006, Patrick has been an International Student Advisor at Université Laval. He holds the RCIC designation as well as a Bachelor’s in Social Work (Université Laval, 2004). He has also taught in the Programme d’études sur l’immigration et les étudiants internationaux (PEIEI) and is a frequent guest lecturer for the International Student Immigration Education Program (ISIEP). Since 2019, Patrick has sat on the CBIE Immigration Advisory Committee. He has a lifelong interest in international education and is fluent in French, English and Spanish.
Best Practices in Student Advising: Collaboration and Using a Holistic Approach
8:30 am – 12:00 pm
This interactive workshop will dive into some of the new competencies set out by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Participants will explore what it means to be a holistic advisor and how to support students through leadership and advocacy. Participants will also learn how effective collaboration can enhance the quality of their advising, create a supportive network of resources, and ultimately benefit the students they serve. This workshop is an opportunity for new and senior advisors to come together and share tips and best practices on comprehensive advising practices.
By the end of the workshop, participants should expect to:
- Be better equipped to utilize a holistic approach in student advising.
- Develop an understanding of the importance of collaboration within their institution and community.
- Learn best practices from other advisors and be inspired to find creative approaches to challenges in student advising.
This workshop has been approved by CICC for 3.5 hours of RISIA/RCIC continuing professional development (CPD).
Facilitators
Lisa Griffin Ndour, CEO and RCIC, LGN Immigration Consulting Services
Lisa is an immigration professional with over 10 years of experience in international education, project management and HR. Lisa has worked at all levels to help refugees, immigrants and other newcomers. This has included serving as a community youth engagement officer with the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA), as an Immigration Program Support Officer with the Province of New Brunswick and, most recently, as Manager of International Mobility and Student Services at the Université de Moncton. When it comes to handling the many challenges that immigrants face, Lisa is known for being a strong advocate who goes above and beyond to help solve problems.
In 2016, Lisa launched LGN Services. What began as a part-time business to support the growing number of newcomer clients in the region is now a full-time enterprise. As an independent immigration consultant, Lisa and her team provide the most current information on Canadian immigration policies and programs, as well as the documentation required to move the process along. Lisa’s expertise, coupled with a heartfelt passion for helping newcomers become new Canadians, is why she is one of the most sought-after immigrant support professionals in Atlantic Canada
Monique Richard, LGN Immigration Consulting Services
Monique Richard has worked in international education and newcomer services for nearly 10 years. Her experience in New Brunswick includes being an international student advisor at both the university and college levels. She was a licensed RISIA for several years and is now studying to become an RCIC. Monique is passionate about supporting international students’ integration during their studies, in the community and in the workforce. She experienced immigration firsthand while living in Costa Rica for 10 years and is fluent in French, English and Spanish. She loves meeting people from different cultures and has facilitated several workshops on intercultural communication. Monique joined LGN Services Immigration Consulting in 2021 and collaborates with CBIE as part of the International Students and Immigration Education Program (ISIEP) team.
Inadmissibility, Enforcement, Recourses, and International Student Immigration Advising
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
This interactive workshop will examine the most common grounds of inadmissibility encountered by international student immigration advisers, namely, misrepresentation and failure to comply with a provision of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The workshop will explore the legislation, policy directives, and case law related to these grounds of inadmissibility as a basis for denying entry and enforcing removal from Canada.
By the end of this workshop, participants should expect to:
- Develop an in-depth understanding of the grounds of inadmissibility and the procedures international students may undergo when inadmissibility is suspected or determined.
- Based on your scope of practice, be better equipped to advise international students facing allegations of inadmissibility or enforcement proceedings.
- Be better equipped to guide students when confronted with the possibility or confirmed inadmissibility.
- Understand the complexities of ‘misrepresentation’ and ‘failure to comply’ as the most common grounds of inadmissibility encountered in international student immigration advising.
This workshop has been approved by CICC for 3.5 hours of RISIA/RCIC continuing professional development (CPD).
Facilitators
Tatiana Gomez, LLB
Tatiana Gomez is an immigration and refugee lawyer who worked in private practice from 2009 to 2021. In 2021, she joined the International Student Office at Concordia University as an Immigration Specialist. Tatiana taught in the Immigration Consulting Program at Vanier College from 2011 to 2015. She also taught in the Certificate Program in Immigration at the University of British Columbia (UBC) from 2015 to 2021. Currently, she collaborates with CBIE on the International Students and Immigration Education Program as a content developer and course instructor. She has a vast scope of experience as an immigration practitioner and instructor in the field of immigration and refugee law. She is the daughter of working-class immigrant parents.
