Case of Canadian immigration judge continues
March 09 2010 by Liam Clifford
Court hears that claimant prior to meeting had done 'everything within her power' to stay in the country.
A South Korean national who is claiming an ex-Canada immigration judge propositioned her in order to approve her refugee claim has admitted that the ex-judge, Steve Ellis, did not directly request sex in exchange for a favourable ruling.
The admission came after Ellis’ lawyer, John Rosen, questioned the claimant, Ji Hye Kim, in regards to the statement given to police at the time of the incident in 2006.
Hye Kim agreed that this was the case; however, by way of implication the ex-immigration judge did imply that this was what he meant. The 29-year-old woman said that he made several remarks that he was ‘leaving his girlfriend’ and that ‘he wished to be her friend’ and for ‘her to remain in Canada’.
At the time of the incident the claimant confided her worries to her boyfriend about the proposed meeting with the then Canada immigration judge and they decided to make an audio tape as well as a video recording of the meeting.
“(He said) he really wanted to be my friend and didn’t want me to go back to Korea.”
During the questioning Ellis’ lawyers also alleged that Hye Kim had previously done everything in her power to obtain a Canada visa and Canadian citizen status, including marrying a Chinese-Canadian in order to stay in the country, seven days after her visitors visa had expired.
Rosen, questioning Hye Kim, pointed to evidence she had admitted the charge of marrying simply to obtain a Canada visa at a police interview. Under questioning she denied this, however later admitted that this was in fact true.
The case continues.
See the latest Immigration News
