Abstract
This paper presents a critical analysis of the intersectionality of race and crime by examining the criminalization of the Black community in the Greater Toronto Area. It contextualizes the removal of ‘foreign criminals’ through Canadian deportation policies, focusing on the evolution of Bill C-44, the “danger to the public” clause, and its impact on the Afro-Caribbean community. The use of qualitative interviews involving three service providers in Trinidad and Tobago who work with deportees, as well as a young man who was recently deported from Canada, are used to highlight the negative impact of Canadian deportation policies on deported persons removed from the nation-state, as well as on the receiving country. This paper draws attention to the ways in which intersecting oppressions of race, class, spatial location, and citizenship status single out racial ‘minorities’ for increased surveillance, and justifies their perceived criminality.
Highlights
The highly politicized nature of the discussion around immigration policies and issues has, for a long period, hosted minimal concern on matters related to deportation and criminality (Kelly and Trebilcock, 2010; Chan, 2005, pp. 161-163)
Immigration Minister Kenny does an excellent job of justifying Bill C-43, claiming, “We have introduced a law that will stop foreign criminals relying on endless appeals in order to delay their removal from Canada during which time they continue to terrorize innocent Canadians
The retroactive nature of Bill C-43 may mean that the fate of some permanent resident is already sealed, but it is important to understand the onus that lawyers will have moving forward, and ensure that clients are presented with all the circumstances and possible outcomes surrounding any criminal case proceedings
Summary
The highly politicized nature of the discussion around immigration policies and issues has, for a long period, hosted minimal concern on matters related to deportation and criminality (Kelly and Trebilcock, 2010; Chan, 2005, pp. 161-163). By examining the sociopolitical environment that shapes the lived realities of the Black community, this paper will seek to explore the experiences of deportees and contextualize this within an understanding of the criminalization of racial ‘minorities’ in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Black males. Doing this reveals the existence of intersecting oppressions of race, and perceived criminality, which allowed the AfroCaribbean community to be systematically targeted for deportations under Bill C-44. What sort of contact did you maintain with friends and family in Trinidad while you were in Canada? What do you think this new bill will do to people living in Canada without their citizenship? Do you think this bill is fair?
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
