CRS Seminar: Refugee claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression

Guest Speaker: Adrienne Smith , Partner at Battista Smith Migration Law Group
Refugee claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression (“SOGIE”) make up about 10% of all claims before the Immigration and Refugee Board (“IRB”) and are among the most complex and difficult types of claims for the IRB to decide. How does the IRB assess SOGIE claims? What are common pitfalls that IRB Members make when assessing SOGIE claims? What does the case law and the IRB’s Guidelines say about how SOGIE should be assessed? This seminar will discuss the areas of concerns with how SOGIE claims are determined by the IRB and propose recommendations on how to improve decision-making for SOGIE claims.
Adrienne Smith is a practicing immigration and refugee lawyer who specializes in representing the LGBTQ+ community. She is a Partner with Battista Smith Migration Law Group based in Toronto, Canada. Adrienne has appeared at every level of court including the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
Co-sponsored with: