What can I do if I get a negative decision at my refugee hearing?
If you get a negative decision on your refugee claim, you might be able to make an appeal to the Immigration and Refugee Board. This means that a different board member will look at your case and at the decision.
They will decide if they agree with the first decision or
They will decide that they want to give you a positive decision instead.
They might also decide to give you a new refugee hearing with a new board member.
What steps should I take?
Wait for a decision. You will probably not have a hearing for your appeal.
You should know:
Some refugee claimants cannot make an appeal to the Immigration and Refugee Board.
This mostly commonly applies to people who were allowed to make a refugee claim at a land border between Canada and USA. Check with your lawyer to know if you can make an appeal.
If you cannot appeal, you might be able make another application, called a “Judicial Review.”
This application will ask a judge from the Federal Court of Canada to look at your decision. The judge can decide to give you a new refugee hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board.