In a ground-breaking development, Saskatchewan has become the first province in Canada to charge an individual for providing immigration services without the necessary license. This case has attracted considerable attention, particularly as it unfolds in the context of fraud victims like TingTing Biao, who experienced profound financial and emotional hardship due to deceptive immigration practices.
Biao’s journey began when she moved to Canada from China, fueled by dreams of a brighter future for herself and her family. Unfortunately, her aspirations quickly spiraled into a nightmare. She paid a staggering $40,000 to Jun Su and June HR Solutions—a Saskatoon-based immigration consulting company—that promised a straightforward path to permanent residency. Instead, the experience left her financially devastated and emotionally drained.
Revealing her hardships, Biao described her initial trust in the immigration company, believing that having an agent of similar cultural background would provide an added level of reliability. Su, who claimed to assist her licensed husband, Zheng Tao Li, in immigration consulting, assured Biao that she was well-equipped to guide her through the process. However, as events unfolded, it became clear that Su lacked the proper authorization to provide immigration advice.
The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants oversees immigration consultant conduct in Canada. In their statement regarding the charges, the college underscored the risks posed by unauthorized practitioners, likening them to threats against the public. Their stance is clear: licensed consultants must oversee any advice given by assistants, holding them accountable for any misinformation.
First of Its Kind
The recent charge against Su marks a historic moment in Saskatchewan’s legal landscape, as it is the first time the provincial government has laid charges against an unlicensed consultant under the Immigration Services Act, 2024. Experts, like Richard Kurland, an immigration lawyer with over 40 years of experience, expressed that while they didn’t anticipate such swift action from the Saskatchewan government, this initial charge could set a precedent aimed at curtailing immigration fraud in the future.
Should Su be found guilty, the ramifications could be wide-reaching, with potential penalties that include up to $750,000 in fines and/or a maximum of two years in prison. The province is actively encouraging anyone who feels victimized by unauthorized immigration services to report their experiences, assuring them that their confidentiality will be preserved.
Biao’s Plight
Biao’s saga highlights a crack in what many perceive as a robust Canadian immigration framework. After being referred to June HR Solutions, Biao was initially optimistic, signing a contract that mapped out a clear route to residency for a total of $110,000 in payments. After the initial payments of $20,000 each, she was met with a series of disappointments.
Despite receiving a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for a kitchen helper position, experts indicated that it did not meet the criteria needed for permanent residency in Saskatchewan. Biao’s hopes of securing a work permit were dashed when her application faced rejection due to concerns about her intentions to return to Canada after the permitted period.
Subsequently, Su proposed that Biao invest $100,000 into a business in the Northwest Territories. This suggestion revealed more holes in Biao’s qualifications, as the investment visa program required a minimum net worth of $250,000, a Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 in English, and relevant business experience—criteria Biao did not meet.
Faced with few options and depleted resources, Biao eventually walked away from the contract, returning to China with a heavy heart and empty pockets. The failure to achieve her Canadian dream has made Biao a cautionary tale, illustrating the potential vulnerabilities within the immigration system.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications for both Biao and Su will continue to reveal the complexities surrounding immigration practices in Canada. With Su’s first court appearance slated for February 18 in Saskatoon, many will be watching closely to see how this pivotal case might influence the landscape of immigration consulting in Canada.
