rohingya muslims: That's why we have brought these memories, this video, from Myanmar, according to Metro News. Since late August, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh to escape attacks by Myanmar security forces. My heart aches for my village, my home, the 16-year-old Rohingya refugee from Myanmar said in a camp in neighbouring Bangladesh. But before fleeing from advancing soldiers, few Rohingya had time to grab many of their belongings. Their old lives homes, cattle, villages, everything are gone. Instead, they poured across the border into Bangladesh bringing with them little more than horror stories of marauding forces and memories of terrifying treks through the forests. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rohingya refugees: But there were some glimmers of hope amid the devastation, according to CTV. Here are some of the stories that restored our faith in humanity On-air rescue As Hurricane Harvey pummelled Houston on Aug. 28, a reporter helped rescue a truck driver from flooding live on local TV. Brandi Smith and cameraman Mario Sandoval were reporting on the severe weather when they spotted a truck stuck in several metres of water and a driver who was trapped inside. From deadly natural disasters, to some of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history and the steady stream of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar, 2017 delivered one tragic headline after another. While still live on air, Smith flagged down a sheriff's car towing a boat. Faith builders' There were numerous other stories of friends, neighbours and strangers helping one another as entire neighbourhoods flooded in the Houston area. The police helped the truck driver get out of his flooded cab, and Smith embraced the man after the rescue. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ryan yamasaki: The U.S. government classifies marijuana as a controlled substance, like heroin and LSD. Prior to Jan. 1, it's going to be the same after Jan. 1, because nothing changed on our end, said Ryan Yamasaki, an assistant chief of the Border Patrol's San Diego sector, according to Toronto Star. If you're a federal law enforcement agency, you uphold federal laws. Marijuana possession still will be prohibited at eight Border Patrol checkpoints in California, a reminder that state and federal laws collide when it comes to pot. The checkpoints, located up to 161 kilometres from Mexico, are considered a final line of defence against immigrants who elude agents at the border. About 40 per cent of pot seizures at Border Patrol checkpoints from fiscal years 2013 to 2016 were 28 grams or less from U.S. citizens, according to a Government Accountability Office report last month. They also have been a trap for U.S. citizens carrying drugs, even tiny bags of marijuana. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

socio-legal studies: Douthwright read a similar study from Milwaukee, Wis., during her undergraduate courses and she was floored by the findings, according to Toronto Star. I thought there was no way this would be true here in Toronto, she said. For a city that claims to be multicultural, the results were shocking, said Janelle Douthwright, the study's author, who recently graduated with a Masters of Arts in Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies from the University of Toronto. She pursued her graduate studies to find out. She gave two of the applicants Black sounding names Khadija Nzeogwu and Tameeka Okwabi and gave one a criminal record. Article Continued Below Douthwright created four fictional female applicants and submitted their resumes for entry level service and retail positions in Toronto over the summer. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

tank commander: Phan himself a former refugee who spent three years in a North Vietnamese prison camp after serving as a tank commander for the South Vietnamese military has been a longtime adviser for newcomers from dozens of countries, according to Metro News. He is retiring from Lutheran Social Services in Fargo, the state's lone resettlement agency, at the end of the month. Now Tri Phan wants to see their native countries, such as Nepal, Bhutan and Sierra Leone. I would love to travel, said Phan, who is moving to California with his wife to be close to their three grown children and their grandchildren. As a proportion of its population, the Fargo area takes in more refugees than most American cities. It would be interesting to visit these places I have heard so much about. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pete pantages: Built in 1907, Vancouver's Pantages theatre was vacant for nearly 20 years when it succumbed to the wrecking ball in 2011, according to Vancouver Courier. Alexander Pantages had a slew of nephews and cousins who helped him run this theatre and other Pantages theatres in his portfolio and a West Coast vaudeville circuit boasting over 70 venues. The man was Peter Pete Pantages, a Greek immigrant with showbiz in his family tree, a popular restaurant of his own, and the charm to have talked some buddies into plunging into the frigid Vancouver waters on January 1, 1920, essentially inaugurating the Polar Bear Swim.article continues below Trending Storiesrelated Polar Bear swimmers continue long, colourful tradition If the Pantages name sounds like it should be up in lights on the outside of a theatre, well, that's what it was and remains, in many North American cities . Pete's uncle Pericles Pantages who preferred to call himself Alexander, after Alexander the Great ran Vancouver's Pantages theatre, which was at 152 East Hastings Street. Pete Pantages, who was helping out with the family theatre business in Vancouver when he first moved to town, reportedly liked to swim up to three times a day in English Bay, according to writer and historian Eve Lazarus. Pantages ended up started the Polar Bear Swim Club. The Polar Bear Swimmers get ready to go in, January 1, 1939. - City of Vancouver Archives So confident you could swim in English Bay any and every day of the year, Pete convinced five or so friends to jump in with him on the first day of 1920. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

customs enforcement: Records from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement indicate Santiago Garcia entered the country illegally in 2004, The Salt Lake Tribune reported . She was first ordered to leave in 2006 but was given a delay, according to Metro News. She has tried to win a stay of deportation but was denied on Dec. 20, forcing her to leave the country. They carried signs that read No person is illegal and Keep families and communities together. Some supporters cried as Santiago Garcia make her way through the airport with her children 11, 9, 5 and 3, who are American citizens. They're afraid. Speaking through a translator, she said she was sad to leave and worried about the lack of opportunities in Guatemala and how her children would adapt to life there. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

suv spectrum: At the more affordable end of the SUV spectrum, the all-conquering Nissan Qashqai will see a number of new and refreshed rivals, including the new version of the Jeep Compass that's already doing pretty well in America, according to CTV. The Jeep is a good-looking model, but will probaby not significantly challenge the Nissan's European sales figures. Here's a look at some of 2018's most exciting SUV newcomers. Japanese brand Mitsubishi, once one of the big names in SUVs with the Shogun, has fallen way behind in recent years. It might be something of a dark horse, but its innovative styling could prove popular. In an attempt to become relevant again, the company is introducing the Eclipse Cross, a striking midsize crossover with competitive pricing. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

news stories: CBC News Network's Power & Politics has combed through this year's archives to bring you some of the political highlights of 2017, from the most cringe-worthy blunders to the biggest players to watch, according to CBC. Today, we turn our attention to the top news stories of 2017. Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press An asylum-seeker surge across the Canada-U.S. border, the run-up to legalized pot and a trade relationship in flux made some of the biggest headlines in Canada in 2017. The Power Panel Counsel Public Affairs' Brad Lavigne, former Conservative cabinet minister Stockwell Day, Bloomberg's Josh Wingrove, University of Regina School of Journalism's Merelda Fiddler and Susan Smith of Bluesky Strategy Group help the CBC's David Cochrane count down the can't-miss moments of 2017. 5. Thousands of asylum seekers illegally crossed the U.S. border into Canada in 2017, most notably in Manitoba and Quebec, after President Donald Trump's clampdown on immigration triggered an exodus. Asylum-seeker surge '1119860291923', 'playlist Selector' 'container Selector' ' container3500854', 'ciid' 'caffeine14456668' ; Top 5 news stories Asylum seekers7 12 A debate in the United States over expiring temporary protected status for migrants didn't just trickle across the border to Canada, it surged. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

president: Critics contend that Macron's increasingly tough policy on migrants though wrapped in a cloak of goodwill contradicts his image as a humanist who defeated an anti-immigrant populist for the presidency, and has crossed a line passed by no other president in the land that prides itself as the cradle of human rights, according to Toronto Star. Read more France mobilizes 97,000 police, soldiers as security with fears of holiday terrorist attacks high Article Continued Below Macron's vulgar comments on jobless in France fuels his image as president of the rich'French President Emmanuel Macron sets sights on being leader of the free world From snowy Alpine passes to the borders with Spain or Germany, migrants keep making their way to France. That won't likely happen, and Macron's government is now tightening the screws ramping up expulsions, raising pressure on economic migrants and allowing divisive ID checks in emergency shelters. In Paris alone, police have evacuated around 30,000 people camping on sidewalks in the last two years. react-empty 163 No one doubts that France's system of dealing with migrants needs fixing, with a perennial housing shortage and long wait times in applying for asylum. Living in a tent. Living in the street. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rohingya muslims: It was also a year marked by tragedies around the world, according to Toronto Star. More than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims fled from Burma to Bangladesh to escape a bloody campaign of ethnic cleansing. It may have kicked into high gear after the Harvey Weinstein scandal but the outrage started growing during the Bill Cosby trial and the brouhaha over the firing of Fox News' Bill O'Reilly. There were terrorist attacks from Istanbul to Mexico to Paris to Pakistan and a deadly carnage, too, from mass shootings. The world, too, mourned the passing of Hollywood idols and legendary musicians. Terrifyingly memorable among them was the killing of almost 60 and wounding of 400 at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

screws ramping: Critics contend that Macron's increasingly tough policy on migrants -- though wrapped in a cloak of goodwill -- contradicts his image as a humanist who defeated an anti-immigrant populist for the presidency, and has crossed a line passed by no other president in the land that prides itself as the cradle of human rights, according to CTV. From snowy Alpine passes to the borders with Spain or Germany, migrants keep making their way to France. That won't likely happen, and Macron's government is now tightening the screws ramping up expulsions, raising pressure on economic migrants and allowing divisive ID checks in emergency shelters. In Paris alone, police have evacuated around 30,000 people camping on sidewalks in the last two years. Living in the street. No one doubts that France's system of dealing with migrants needs fixing, with a perennial housing shortage and long wait times in applying for asylum. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pain medications: It is estimated that by the end of this year, more than 4,000 people will die of drug-induced overdose in Canada, according to NOW Magazine. And still, a public health emergency has yet to be called by either the provincial or federal government. On December 18, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced that at least 1,460 people died of opioid overdose in the first half of 2017. Federally, there is still no comprehensive overdose strategy. Those of us on the front lines harm reduction workers, people who use drugs and their allies are often told by politicians that they are working around the clock to address the crisis. The Ontario government missed the mark with its action plan, focusing primarily on pain medications and not overdose deaths. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

arizona lawman: Born in Nogales, Mexico, Marco Antonio Estrada was raised just north of the U.S. border, giving him a unique perspective on issues related to it and strong opinions about treatment of immigrants, according to Metro News. Pointedly, the white-haired, 74-year-old Spanish-speaker has said he's not a fan of President Donald Trump, his proposed border wall or his hardline immigration policies. Sheriff Tony Estrada is a different kind of Arizona lawman. Estrada has become an even harsher critic during the president's first months in office as detentions of migrants away from the border have soared. As a lawman, Estrada said he opposes illegal immigration and has long ensured his deputies turn over to federal authorities those people they find to be in the country illegally. Arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, whose officers pick up people for deportation, surged 40 per cent from the same period a year earlier. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

donald trump: He said his order does not apply to refugees without a bona fide relationship to a person or an entity within the United States, according to Toronto Star. President Donald Trump restarted the refugee program in October with enhanced vetting capabilities. Robart ordered the federal government to process certain refugee applications. It came after the heads of three U.S. agencies sent a memo to Trump saying certain refugees must be excluded unless additional security measures are implemented. Read more about United States, Donald Trump Do you want to help shapethe Toronto Star's future Join our team of readers who are passionate about journalism and share your views. Article Continued Below It applies to the families of refugees already living in the U.S. and all refugees from 11 countries. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

liberties union: Government lawyers argued that the ban is needed to protect national security, according to The Chronicle Herald. Robart ordered the federal government to process certain refugee applications. U.S. District Judge James Robart heard arguments Thursday in lawsuits from the American Civil Liberties Union and Jewish Family Service, which say the ban causes irreparable harm and puts some people at risk. He said his order applies to people with a bona fide relationship to a person or entity within the United States. The day before his executive order, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke and Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats sent a memo to Trump saying certain refugees must be banned unless additional security measures are implemented. President Donald Trump restarted the refugee program in October with enhanced vetting capabilities. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

buddhist nation: The returns are supposed to be voluntary, according to CTV. But many members of the religious minority, now living in sprawling refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, are afraid to go back. With so many obstacles, however, and no real sign of good will, few believe that will happen. They don't trust the nationalist-led government and feel widely hated by the general population. Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist nation of 60 million, was basking in international praise just a few years ago as it transitioned to democracy after a half-century of dictatorship. Meanwhile, the military -- which violently ousted them -- says the refugees shouldn't expect to return in large numbers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

government troops: It is a matter of time before they reach our positions, he said, according to Metro News. These are the first reported violations of the cease-fire that went into effect just after midnight. Gabriel said government troops also were en route to launch another attack in the Wau area. The warring sides agreed to the cessation of hostilities on Thursday after days of internationally mediated talks in neighbouring Ethiopia. No one knows how many tens of thousands of people have been killed. South Sudan government spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny told The Associated Press that How can we violate the cease-fire It just went into effect. ... We can only fire back in self- defence . The East African country is entering its fifth year of civil war. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

neighbouring bangladesh: The returns are supposed to be voluntary, according to Toronto Star. But many members of the religious minority, now living in sprawling refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, are afraid to go back. With so many obstacles, however, and no real sign of good will, few believe that will happen. They don't trust the nationalist-led government and feel widely hated by the general population. Read more Article Continued Below She gave birth in no-man's-land. Meanwhile, the military, which violently ousted them, says the refugees shouldn't expect to return in large numbers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

security robart: Government lawyers argued that the ban is needed to protect national security, according to CTV. Robart ordered the federal government to process certain refugee applications. U.S. District Judge James Robart heard arguments Thursday in lawsuits from the American Civil Liberties Union and Jewish Family Service, which say the ban causes irreparable harm and puts some people at risk. He said his order applies to people with a bona fide relationship to a person or entity within the United States. The day before his executive order, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke and Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats sent a memo to Trump saying certain refugees must be banned unless additional security measures are implemented. U.S. President Donald Trump restarted the refugee program in October with enhanced vetting capabilities. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

vetting capabilities: Robart ordered the federal government to process certain refugee applications, according to Metro News. He said his order applies to people with a bona fide relationship to a person or entity within the United States. Government lawyers argued that the ban is needed to protect national security. President Donald Trump restarted the refugee program in October with enhanced vetting capabilities. It applies to the spouses and minor children of refugees who have already settled in the U.S. and suspends the refugee program for people coming from 11 countries, nine of which are mostly Muslim. The day before his executive order, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke and Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats sent a memo to Trump saying certain refugees must be banned unless additional security measures are implemented. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nour sayem: I worked in Turkey as a cook, I'm very happy to be here with Mrs, according to CBC. Nour, very happy, said one of those women, Hanan Abdul Karim, taking her time to find the correct words in French. The women who will be cooking the delicacies and ringing up the cash register have just started rebuilding their lives in Quebec, after fleeing their homes in Syria. Karim has been taking French-language classes in Quebec City since she arrived in 2015 with her six children. Nour Sayem says the flavours of Syrian cuisine feature fresh herbs and spices, and the ingredients are all natural. A seventh is on the way. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

room: Using the example of the holy family to emphasize the dangers that attend those who have to leave their home behind, Francis noted that in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary found a city that had no room or place for the stranger from afar, and which seemed to want to build itself up by turning its back on others, according to Toronto Star. On Sunday night in St. Recalling that Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn, Francis highlighted the biblical story in a present day in which the White House has restricted travel for people from predominantly Muslim countries, the Myanmar military has carried out a vicious campaign against a stateless Rohingya minority, and wars, human trafficking and the indifference of wealthy nations have resulted in millions of families languishing in squalid refugee camps. Peter's Basilica, Francis further elevated the plight of the world's castaways, saying that their footsteps followed those trudged by Joseph and the pregnant Mary to the manger. Article Continued Below The pope, who recently turned 81, is in the fifth year of a papacy that supporters and critics have both called revolutionary. We see the tracks of millions of persons who do not choose to go away but, driven from their land, leave behind their dear ones, he said, adding that while some seek a better life, for many others this departure can only have one name survival. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

york: The New York Times claims that it heard about the egregious remarks from two U.S. officials -- one who attended the meeting and a second who was briefed on it by another attendee, according to CTV. Both requested anonymity to discuss the meeting, the New York Times said. According to the Dec. 23 report, during a June meeting in the Oval Office on immigration, a plainly enraged Trump said recent Haitian arrivals all have AIDS and Nigerians would never go back to their huts in Africa after seeing the United States. On Saturday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders vehemently denied that Trump had uttered the two offensive statements. It's both sad and telling The New York Times would print the lies of their anonymous sources' anyway. General Kelly, General McMaster, Secretary Tillerson, Secretary Nielsen and all other senior staff actually in the meeting deny these outrageous claims, she told the newspaper, referring to four top-level White House officials who were present in the Oval Office that day. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

surprise resurgence: By 2040-41, the federal debt would top out at around 1.08 trillion before starting to fall, as compared to last year's prediction that it would reach 1.55 trillion by 2050-51, according to National Observer. The improvement is attributed to an overall boost in the fiscal outlook, particularly in the medium term, which comes after the Canadian economy mounted a surprise resurgence over the past 12 months. If such a scenario played out, the deficit would reach an annual high of 24.8 billion around 2030-31 before beginning to fall. While long-term predictions contain considerable uncertainty, Finance Minister Bill Morneau nonetheless said the projections prove the Liberal government's plan is bearing fruit. Our plan is working. We have an ambitious plan to grow Canada's economy by investing in people, growing the middle class and helping those working hard to join it, Morneau said in a statement Friday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

carl tobias: Hawaii, which is suing to stop the ban, has argued that it will be harmful because families will be separated and university recruitment will be hampered, according to CTV. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court lifted temporary lower court orders that had prevented the latest ban from taking effect. The 77-page ruling released late Friday says Trump's proclamation makes no finding whatsoever that simply being from one of the countries cited in the ban makes someone a security risk. The status quo was maintained when the 9th Circuit stayed its decision, said Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law. Given the shockingly rapid volley of executive actions and court decisions, this is surely just the latest in a long series of battles to come. The ruling was unusual, but it's a unique case, he said, noting the Supreme Court has not set argument dates because it has not yet decided to grant an appeal. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.