'It's just so scary how easily someone could impersonate you just like that'

Calgary man had permanent residence revoked after identity theft

- NICHOLAS KEUNG

Sam Li came here from China on a study permit in 2016 and invested five years of his life in Canada to gain permanent residence.

It's a status that didn't come easily, and one he wouldn't want to give up.

That's why a letter he received last July left him shocked and confused.

A former landlord forwarded him a letter from the Immigration Department, notifying him that it had approved his request to "voluntarily" renounce his permanent resident status.

"As of the date of this letter you are no longer a permanent resident of Canada," said the one-page document, delivered by post. "In order to enter or remain in Canada in the future, you are required to meet all the regular requirements as a temporary resident including obtaining a temporary resident visa, a work permit, or a study permit, as appropriate."

The letter was authentic, but the problem is the 34-year-old Calgary man had never applied to give up his permanent status in the country.

The identity theft that Li fell victim to not only offers a cautionary tale about sharing personal information and photos, but also raises questions about what the Immigration Department did to verify the renunciation application.

"It's outrageous and astonishing." said Jing Yang, one of four lawyers from whom Li sought help. "It's extremely important for individual immigration officers to look at each file on their desk or on their screen, and do their due diligence. It's not just a stack of files. It's someone's life, someone's future."