Immigration Minister Defends IRCC Citizenship Review of Approved Files

Immigration Minister Lena Diab has confirmed that applicants must prove their Canadian lineage at every generation as IRCC continues reviewing some recently approved citizenship files.

Speaking in the House of Commons on June 16, Diab defended the department's review process after reports surfaced that some individuals who had already received citizenship certificates were being asked to return them pending further assessment.

The issue gained national attention after affected applicants began sharing notices from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) earlier this month. The letters informed recipients that concerns had been identified in their files and that additional evidence may be required before a final determination can be made.

Why are approved citizens being asked to surrender their certificates?

The minister's comments came after Jenny Kwan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver East and the NDP's critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, sent an open letter to Diab raising concerns about the review process.

Kwan argued that people who received citizenship certificates under Bill C-3 made important life decisions based on official government recognition and should not be caught in a new review process months later.

"Citizenship is the most fundamental legal status Canada can confer," Kwan wrote. "When the government issues a citizenship certificate, families make major life decisions based on that final word."

She also warned that some affected individuals may have already moved to Canada, accepted jobs, sold homes, or made other major commitments after receiving proof of citizenship.

Kwan called for an immediate halt to the certificate recall initiative and greater transparency from IRCC about how many people are affected.

Minister Lena Diab Says Citizenship Must Be Proven at Every Generation

Michelle Rempel Garner, Conservative MP for Calgary Nose Hill, asked the government, “How many citizenships have been issued to non-citizens with bogus documents since the Liberals passed Chain Migration Bill C-3, and how many more does the government suggest may be issued over the next five years?”

Diab defended the department's approach and stressed that citizenship eligibility must be supported by sufficient evidence.

"Just because you have a Canadian ancestor does not mean you're automatically eligible for citizenship," Diab said.

"My job is to safeguard the integrity of our citizenship program, and I will do everything necessary to protect that," Diab told the House of Commons.

What Happens Next for Affected Applicants?

While IRCC has not publicly disclosed how many approved files are under review, affected applicants may be asked to provide additional records supporting their citizenship claim.

These documents could include birth, marriage, citizenship, or other government-issued records that establish a clear family connection to a Canadian ancestor.

Applicants may also be asked to show evidence that official records were requested if those documents are unavailable.

For now, the reviews are separate from the formal citizenship revocation process. IRCC has not indicated how long the reviews could take or whether additional cases may be affected.

Need help understanding Canadian citizenship rules or eligibility requirements? Use the UmberApp AI Chat for instant guidance.