Group accuses Transit Police of reporting people to CBSA based on racial profiling

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Transit Police are being accused of acting too much like border guards.

“Once a fare check’s been made, then calls to the CBSA are being made, based on racial profiling,” claims Omar Chu with a new group called “Transportation Not Deportation.”

He says Transit Police reported over 300 people to the Canada Border Services Agency last year. “All of those referrals have been… without warrant.”

Chu tells us one in five of those people faced a subsequent immigration investigation.

He points to the case of Lucia Vega Jiménez, who committed suicide in a YVR holding cell; he refers to the testimony of the transit officer, who turned her over to the CBSA.

“A large part of the reason why he referred her was because of her accent and because he didn’t think that she was from Canada.”

Chu says Transit Police reported 328 people to the CBSA last year, one in five of whom faced a subsequent immigration investigation.

“Transportation Not Deportation” is planning a rally this Sunday at the Main Street SkyTrain station.

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