Access Without Fear: A report on the implications of an AWF policy in Windsor, Ontario for frontline service workers

Authors

Gemma Smyth, Faculty of Law, University of WindsorFollow
Rawan Hussein, University of Windsor, Faculty of LawFollow
Erli Bogdani, University of Western Ontario, Faculty of LawFollow
Zara Mercer, University of Windsor, Faculty of LawFollow
Taiwo Onabolu, University of Windsor, Faculty of LawFollow
Mbonisi Zikhali, University of Windsor, Faculty of LawFollow

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

Summer 2020

Keywords

access without fear; sanctuary city; persons without status

Abstract

This report is aimed at people working in, directing or otherwise administering services to persons without status. It summarises the barriers and challenges that frontline service workers reported when attempting to support persons without status as well as recommendations gleaned from interviews. While fundamental change to immigration policy would be required to fully respond to the needs of persons without status, the researchers took a “harm reduction” approach, focusing on what agencies and policy makers might do to improve services without a restrictive legal paradigm. In sum, we found strong support from frontline service workers for an AWF policy. While typically an AWF policy is implemented at a city level, it is possible for agencies to implement their own internal policies. AWF policies vary widely from community-to-community. Ultimately a "made in Windsor” approach should be crafted to meet the community’s current and ongoing needs.

Recommended Citation

Smyth, Gemma; Hussein, Rawan; Bogdani, Erli; Mercer, Zara; Onabolu, Taiwo; and Zikhali, Mbonisi. (2020). Access Without Fear: A report on the implications of an AWF policy in Windsor, Ontario for frontline service workers.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/lawpub/110