Concerns Mount Over Automated Processing Tools Potentially Leading to Unjust Refusals
Toronto, ON – September 16, 2025 – Immigration lawyers, consultants, and affected families are sounding the alarm over Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) use of computer-assisted decision-making systems, warning that rushed or incomplete reviews could be unfairly denying applicants entry to Canada.
Prominent Toronto immigration lawyer Mario Bellissimo has flagged several cases where refusal letters cited missing documents that were, in fact, submitted. “It worries me as an applicant and as a lawyer for an applicant: what is actually being looked at?” Bellissimo said, urging IRCC to ensure full human oversight in every decision.
Technology Under Scrutin
IRCC began deploying advanced data analytics in 2018 to sort applications and help officers flag files likely to be approved. It also uses Chinook, a spreadsheet-based tool allowing officers to review and render decisions on up to 150 applications at a time, with built-in boilerplate language for refusals and approvals.
The department insists that “final decisions are always made by highly trained officers,” and that technology simply streamlines workflow. But critics say the pressure to process cases quickly – with over 2.2 million applications in IRCC’s system, including 900,000 past normal processing times – is leading to shortcuts that risk violating procedural fairness.
Expert and Public Concerns
- Procedural Fairness: Former senior IRCC officer Annie Beaudoin warns that some cases are being refused without a full review of documents. “Officers have a lot of pressure to do a lot of decisions extremely fast. And that’s when these problems occur,” she said.
- Bulk Decisions: Vancouver lawyer Will Tao cautions that Chinook enables “bulk” decisions that can apply the same refusal wording to dozens of cases, blurring the line between human judgment and automated processing.
- Emotional Toll on Families: Couples like Chandni Ajwani and Jay Dave, who initially had their spousal visit visa denied despite submitting proof of funds and marriage documents, say the process left them feeling frustrated and unheard. Their application was approved only after a reconsideration request.
IRCC’s Position
In a written statement, IRCC defended its use of technology, saying:
“Computer-assisted tools do not make or recommend decisions. They allow officers to work more efficiently while maintaining Canada’s high standards for immigration integrity. Officers are trained to carefully assess each application before rendering a decision.”
IRCC maintains that technology is essential to modernizing Canada’s immigration system and reducing backlogs that have led to wait times exceeding 500 days for some visa categories.
Calls for Action
The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association has urged IRCC to review its systems, warning that the current approach risks undermining trust in Canada’s immigration system. Stakeholders are calling for:
- Greater Transparency on how AI and digital tools influence decisions.
- Stronger Procedural Safeguards to ensure every file is reviewed thoroughly.
- Independent Oversight of automated systems to prevent systemic errors and discrimination.
“Canada’s reputation as a fair and compassionate country depends on getting this right,” Bellissimo said.