A Canadian immigration court has ruled in favour of deporting a 29-year-old Nigerian national whose marriage to a 79-year-old Canadian woman was deemed fraudulent.
The landmark decision highlights authorities’ ongoing crackdown on sham marriages used to circumvent immigration laws.
Presiding Judge Michael Henderson delivered the verdict after immigration officials presented compelling evidence that the 2021 union was primarily contracted to secure the Nigerian man’s permanent residency status.
The evidence clearly demonstrates this marriage lacks the fundamental hallmarks of a genuine relationship, Judge Henderson stated in his ruling.
Court documents revealed several red flags, including: The couple’s inability to provide credible details about their courtship. No evidence of cohabitation or shared financial responsibilities. A significant age gap that raised questions about the relationship’s authenticity
Canadian Border Services Agency investigators testified that the Nigerian national had entered Canada on a visitor visa in 2019 and subsequently filed for permanent residency based on the marriage. His elderly Canadian wife, whose identity remains protected, reportedly received financial compensation for her participation in the arrangement.
Case of this nature have continued to reignite debates about immigration loopholes, with government statistics showing a 17% increase in marriage fraud investigations since 2020.
The Canadian government has simultaneously announced tighter vetting procedures for marriage-based residency applications, including mandatory interviews and enhanced documentation requirements. These measures aim to curb what officials describe as a growing trend of “convenience marriages” targeting Canada’s immigration system.
This ruling comes as part of broader immigration reforms that have seen rejection rates for spousal visas increase by 22% in the past fiscal year. Authorities stress that while Canada remains welcoming to legitimate immigrants, fraudulent cases will face rigorous scrutiny and severe consequences.
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