Kingston Immigration Partnership Announces the Welcoming Agencies Declaration

By Aara Macauley, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter. 

Four Kingston newcomer-serving organizations have come together to develop the Welcoming Agencies Declaration. Developed by the Kingston Immigration Partnership, the declaration represents a commitment between Kingston Community Health Centres, KEYS Employment and Newcomer Services, ACFOMI, and Kingston Literacy & Skills to reduce barriers for people with irregular immigration status.

The Kingston Immigration Partnership was established in 2009 by three founding agencies - Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC), KEYS Employment and Newcomer Services, and Kingston Economic Development Corporation, and serves as collaborative effort of local residents, leaders, businesses, government offices, and organizations to ensure that Kingston is a welcoming city for newcomers to Canada. 

The Declaration ensures access to support and services for individuals without fear of having their immigration status reported to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or police for the purposes of deportation or immigration detention.

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