Officials with the Canadian Border Services Agency have laid a number of charges against an Edmonton couple, for allegedly helping foreign nationals work in Canada, illegally.
CBSA officials said Raquel Obras Figueroa and Enriquito Balbin Figueroa are facing a number of charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
It’s alleged the couple arranged employment contracts for foreign nationals in Ontario to work illegally in Alberta and British Columbia.
Officials said the workers would enter Canada lawfully, either as visitors, students or workers – and would come into contact with the couple as they looked for employment opportunities.
The CBSA said the couple would then find illegal employment for the workers, either as residential healthcare aides, or community support workers in Calgary, and as hotel housekeepers in Edmonton and in Hope, B.C. The workers were also promised regularized status, and work permits, but the couple failed to follow through.
Officials said those victims were further exploited by employers who didn’t comply with terms of the employment contracts – CBSA said one of those employers is Jennilynn Morris, who has been charged separately under the same legislation.
The pair is facing charges jointly, with aiding and abetting foreign nationals to contravene the Act. In addition, Raquel is also facing charges for allegedly being an unauthorized immigration consultant for a fee.
It’s alleged the couple worked for an immigration consulting firm between 2007 and 2010.
