Canadian Law Student Research-a-thon in support of the Canadian Council for Refugees!

We Need Your Help! #research4refugees

Join Canadian law students in challenging the Safe Third Country Agreement

This Saturday, law students from law faculties across Canada will unite for 12 hours of legal research relating to the recent travel bans in the United States and their Canadian impact. This event will mark the first time that Canadian law students have coordinated an effort of this magnitude. As law students, we know that sometimes there is a chasm between what is legal and what is just. This “research-a-thon” will focus on closing that gap -- by gathering information and drafting arguments to use in potential legal challenges to the Canada-U.S Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA). It will also raise funds for the Canadian Council for Refugees and any litigation they may bring forward on this issue.

The research-a-thon is a student led initiative that in less than 24 hours has become a nationwide mobilization with simultaneous events confirmed at 21 of 22 Canadian law schools. Law students across Canada want to come together as a united front to share the message that the next generation of legal scholars and practitioners will not stand for legislation like the Safe Third Country Agreement.

A coordinated effort by law students from coast to coast (to coast) has never been achieved on this scale. Students will conduct legal research and draft memos all day beginning at 8:00 am local time. This research will all be directed to support potential litigation by the CCR.

About the Safe Third Country Agreement

The STCA came into effect in 2004 and prohibits asylum seekers from making refugee claims at the US-Canada border. In other words, those who try to enter Canada through the US are returned to the US regardless of whether they qualify for asylum in the US. As a result of the US Executive Order that has banned all refugee claims for 120 days, all affected asylum seekers in the US are barred from seeking asylum in Canada.

About the Canadian Council for Refugees

The Canadian Council for Refugees is a national non-profit umbrella organization committed to the rights and protection of refugees and other vulnerable migrants in Canada and around the world and to the settlement of refugees and immigrants in Canada.  The membership is made up of organizations involved in the settlement, sponsorship and protection of refugees and immigrants.  The Council serves the networking, information-exchange and advocacy needs of its membership.

We invite you to stand with Canadian law students, the Canadian Council for Refugees, and the thousands of refugees who will be directly impacted by this unjust law. Please consider a financial donation in support of their work challenging unjust legislation.