A Federal Court judge has overturned the revocation of a pharmacist's Canadian citizenship, delivering a sharp rebuke to immigration officials for waiting nearly a decade to act on allegations she fraudulently obtained her status.
A Decade of Uncertainty
Nermine Magdi Ibrahim, who became a permanent resident in July 2003 and a citizen in October 2007, had her citizenship revoked in November 2024. However, the origins of the case date back to 2014. That year, officials first received a tip and completed an investigation suggesting Ibrahim may not have met residency requirements.
Justice Avvy Yao-Yao Go, in a decision released from Toronto on December 19, permanently stayed the revocation proceedings. The judge found the extensive delay fundamentally unfair, stating it "calls into question the integrity of the justice system."
The Allegations and the Investigation
The case centered on whether Ibrahim was physically present in Canada for the required time. In her citizenship application, she declared only 166 days of absence during the relevant residency period from July 9, 2003, to February 18, 2007.
The investigation was triggered when the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) received information about companies operating citizenship fraud schemes. Ibrahim's husband's name was listed as a client of these services, which allegedly helped simulate residence in Canada.
Authorities then discovered Ibrahim's LinkedIn profile, which indicated she was continuously employed as a Medical Delegate with Nestlé Infant Nutrition in Kuwait from June 2002 to June 2009. This employment was verified by an analyst at the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi on July 23, 2014.
"No Justification for the Delay"
Despite completing the investigation in 2014, immigration authorities did not inform Ibrahim of the potential revocation proceedings until 2023, offering her a chance to respond only then.
The government argued the delay was not unreasonable because Ibrahim's case was part of a large-scale investigation involving approximately 300 other individuals. Justice Go rejected this argument outright.
"Based on the record before me, I find that the minister has not provided any justification for the delay," the judge wrote. The decision criticized officials for not considering the impact of the delay on Ibrahim's ability to mount a defense or her established ties to Canada.
To qualify for citizenship, permanent residents must physically live in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) within the five years before applying. The court's ruling highlights the critical importance of procedural fairness and timely action in immigration enforcement, setting a significant precedent for similar cases.
