An Algonquin College professor is fighting to help Afghan nationals relocate to Canada in the wake of the Taliban’s return to power.
Tamar Boghossian, an immigration lawyer and instructor in the College’s Paralegal program, has joined the growing ranks of individuals that are continuing to support those who worked as interpreters, embassy staff or otherwise assisted Canadian forces during the War in Afghanistan. According to Boghossian, allies still stuck in Afghanistan are in constant fear for their lives and have to take drastic steps to avoid being captured by the Taliban.
“These individuals we’re trying to help, all of them are trying to flee, they’re actually in hiding,” said Boghossian. “Every few weeks they’ll switch where they’re staying. For a year now, these families haven’t gone out, the kids haven’t gone to school, because they’re on a hit list from the Taliban for having helped the Canadian government.”
Boghossian is currently providing free legal aid to 12 Afghan allies and their families — 66 people in total — as they apply for refuge in Canadian. She said that the application process is vague and lacking transparency, making it a difficult endeavour. Additionally, the application process is largely online and requires proof of passport and other documentation, further distancing many Afghan allies from finding safety.
The Canadian federal government’s initial goal was to rescue 40,000 Afghan allies. In the year since, however, only 17,170 have been evacuated, and the evacuation program is now officially closed to new applicants. Boghossian considered this a “slap in the face” and lamented the hurdles placed in front of those seeking refuge.
Boghossian began teaching at Algonquin College in 2020 and has taught immigration law and practice management courses for the Paralegal program. She is also a partner at Boghossian Morais LLP, an immigration law practice in Ottawa.
