Farzin Jafari is confronted with a difficult decision: stay and hope for permission to stay in Canada for his family, or risk leaving his wife and young daughter behind in hopes they can stay if he is found ineligible and sent back to Iran.
Jafari is among many permanent residency applicants who were sent a Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL) by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in August, indicating potential inadmissibility due to their ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), listed as a terrorist group by Canada in 2024.
The letters raised concerns about past service in the IRGC, suggesting possible inadmissibility under Canadian law. Jafari emphasized that he had no choice in his service and stated, “You can’t say, ‘I don’t want this.'”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are a component of the Iranian military, and all Iranian men must complete compulsory military service. Failure to participate can result in the loss of basic civil rights or imprisonment by the Iranian government.
Jafari completed his mandatory service in 2011, working in an administrative role. He later worked as a software engineer in Iran before moving to Canada in 2021 with his wife. They applied for permanent residency in 2024, the same year the IRGC was designated a terrorist organization by Canada.
Many applicants received similar letters in early August, according to Nahid Rahmati from the Unheard Conscripts Advocacy Network, who supports those conscripted into the IRGC. The group aims to assist individuals navigating the Canadian immigration system.
The process of assessing inadmissibility concerning IRGC ties is part of standard immigration law application. Conscripts find it challenging to prove they were not members of the IRGC after fulfilling mandatory service, as the organization does not maintain records of former members.
Arghavan Gerami, an Ottawa-based immigration lawyer, noted that many conscripts served involuntarily and expressed concerns about Canada expecting them to demonstrate resistance to conscription. She emphasized the importance of distinguishing between high-ranking IRGC officials and conscripts compelled into service.
Canada has temporarily halted deportations to Iran due to safety concerns amidst regional conflicts. If found inadmissible, Jafari and his family could face removal from Canada when the suspension ends, causing uncertainty and distress for their future.
