Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has uncovered multiple misconduct cases within its department, including a serious instance where an employee solicited a bribe in exchange for approving a study permit. The revelations come from a recently released misconduct report aimed at promoting transparency and reinforcing the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
According to the report, 62 misconduct cases were confirmed out of 76 investigations conducted between 2023 and 2024. The cases involved a range of violations, including harassment, privacy breaches, and direct violations of the IRCC Code of Conduct. Some of the most concerning incidents included employees accessing sensitive immigration files without authorization and speaking negatively about applicants from specific countries.
In one case, a processing agent reportedly used an internal messaging platform to ask a colleague if they would accept money in exchange for approving a study permit. Although the agent later claimed that someone else used their laptop to make the request, the episode raised alarms over vulnerabilities within the immigration system—especially in processes that impact international students, who contribute billions to Canada’s economy.
Other confirmed cases involved ethical breaches, including one where an IRCC employee developed a social relationship with an asylum claimant housed at an IRCC Asylum Hotel. The employee offered preferential treatment, provided guidance on navigating the department, and even co-signed a car loan for the claimant. This relationship was deemed a clear conflict of interest, resulting in suspension without pay.
IRCC also acknowledged ongoing issues with marriage fraud, where applicants attempt to use so-called “marriages of convenience” to gain entry into Canada. The department emphasized that its officers are trained to detect such schemes and that engaging in fraudulent marriage arrangements could lead to criminal charges.
Disciplinary actions taken by the IRCC against staff involved in these incidents included written reprimands, suspensions without pay, terminations, and the revocation of security clearances. The department reaffirmed its commitment to upholding ethical standards and announced plans to introduce new training and awareness campaigns to prevent future violations.
“The objective of this report is to increase public confidence in our systems of accountability,” the IRCC stated. “We are committed to a safe, transparent, and misconduct-free immigration process.”
This development comes as Canada’s federal government, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, continues to introduce immigration reforms aimed at addressing mounting pressures on the system. The government has announced plans to gradually reduce the number of temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers, by 2027. At the same time, it aims to keep the annual intake of permanent residents to less than one percent of the national population.
The IRCC’s revelations serve as both a warning and a signal of its intent to restore integrity and public trust in Canada’s immigration system, especially during a time of tightening immigration policy and growing international scrutiny.