Page 17 - Healing Voices_za sajt

Module 1: Trauma, Recovery and Torture Survivors

allowed to stay in Canada and can apply for permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship. They
can include any immediate family members living overseas on their permanent residency application.

Every country has its own, slightly different legal process for granting asylum. However, as you can
see from these examples, the process is stressful and often long and difficult.

In addition, the United States, Canada and many other countries around the world also accept resettled
refugees, that is people whose refugee status has already been determined abroad by an organization
such as the UNHCR. In the case of Canada, for example, while asylum seekers/refugee claimants
usually make their claim at the port of entry into Canada, resettled refugees are screened abroad
and undergo medical and security checks prior to receiving a visa to enter Canada as permanent
residents (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 2021). In the U.S., however, refugees
are not immediately granted permanent resident status.

Medical examination of refugees

As an interpreter, it is important to become familiar with the process for determining refugee status
and the specific legal terminology used in the country where you interpret. This will allow you to
ensure the accuracy of the interpretation and a thorough understanding of the context in which you
are interpreting. As discussed above, each country has established its own laws and practices around
immigration.

Anecdotally, the authors have heard examples where poor interpreting has led to the denial of either
refugee or asylum status. These tragic examples can end in deportation, which puts the lives of these
individuals at risk and can lead to further trauma and disasters both for them and for their families.

9