The whole idea of charging someone for being removed from the country is rife with problems. For one, they have already been removed, and suffered a forced change in their – and possibly their family’s – lives as a result. Secondly, charging anything assumes that they cost Canada for actions that they are culpable for. Third, the whole point of increasing the fees to such a degree – likely unaffordable to anyone removed – can only be to prevent those deported from ever returning to Canada. Fourth, it separates family from each other, which is contrary to Canada’s objectives in its immigration and refugee laws. Fifth, charging money for being forced into immigration detention should be cruel and unusual punishment. Finally, how is it fair to call these charges “fees”? Fees are administrative costs, which only make sense if they can actually be paid. They are better described as fines because they are punitive rather than administrative. They are designed to ward off those deported from the country from ever returning, akin to banishment.
