Dedicated counsel
for new beginnings.
Hana Marku is a Toronto-based immigration and refugee lawyer providing dedicated, compassionate representation for complex legal matters.
ABOUT HANA
I specialize in complex refugee and family reunification cases both in Canada and abroad. I regularly appear before the Federal Court of Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. I enjoy working with women, families, youth, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
I am a member of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Canadian Council for Refugees.
I am from Kosovo and emigrated to Canada as a child in 1993.
Education
J.D., Osgoode Hall Law School
Languages
English, Albanian
PRACTICE AREAS
Judicial review of refused applications and claims
Unfair or legally incorrect decisions can be challenged at the Federal Court through a process called judicial review. The court assesses whether a decision was lawfully made or not.
Refugee and sponsorship appeals
Refusals of refugee claims and family sponsorship applications can be appealed to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Appellants can file new evidence, call witnesses, and make arguments to challenge their refusals.
Deferrals and stays of removal
Deferrals are requests made to the Canada Border Services Agency to postpone a removal date. Motions for stays of removal are requests to the Federal Court to pause a removal until a legal challenge is finished.
Cessation and vacation applications
Cessation applications occur when Canada Border Services Agency asks the Immigration and Refugee Board to revoke refugee status because the refugee returned to their home country.
Vacation applications occur when Canada Border Services Agency asks the Immigration and Refugee Board to revoke refugee status because the refugee gave false or misleading information.
Refugee claims
Individuals seeking persecution in their home country can seek refugee protection by filing a refugee claim before the Immigration and Refugee Board, either at a Canadian border point or soon after arrival in Canada.
Family sponsorships
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their spouses, children, parents, grandparents and other types of family members for permanent residence by submitting applications for family sponsorship.
Pre-Removal Risk Assessments
A Pre-Removal Risk Assessment is a written application, submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before removal, about the persecution or risk an individual faces in their home country.
Please note that I do not represent clients seeking visitor visas, study permits, work permits, or permanent residence through any of Canada’s economic class streams.
Legal aid certificates and payment plans are accepted on a case-by-case basis.
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
Practicing law with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to human dignity.
1. Turtle Island predates Canada by thousands of years.
Settlers have a responsibility to learn the history of this land and to advance truth and reconciliation with our Indigenous neighbours.
2. Human beings are never illegal.
Being without immigration status is not a moral failing.
3. Families belong together.
It is not just or moral to keep families apart through borders or visa regimes.
4. We are responsible for “the face of the world.”
The care and defense of refugees is our collective obligation.
5. There is a gap between justice and the law.
It is our job to close it everywhere we can: on the streets, in the courtroom, at the ballot box, and in our minds.
Let’s Work Together
Navigating immigration and refugee law requires experienced guidance. Schedule a consultation to discuss your case and understand your options.
MEDIA
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Toronto lawyer says Canada blocked visa applications without explanation for Gazans fleeing war
CBC
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Lawyer taking Canada to court, says visa applications from Gaza were blocked
CTV News
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Why a Toronto immigration lawyer is taking the federal government to court
CBC Radio
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He fled Cuba's regime and married a Quebecer. Then ICE took him
Montreal Gazette
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Canada faces lawsuit over delays in Gaza visa programme
Al Jazeera
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Immigration lawyers ask for judicial review of refugee application process for Gazans
Toronto Star
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2 families rejected at Canadian border are now mired in what lawyer calls a 'black hole' of ICE detention
CBC
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Migratory Justice - Connecting Struggles 2.0 Event
Balkan Solidarity Network
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Gendered experiences in the legal system: refugee and migrant women
Diasporas Speaking Podcast
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Anything can happen': Iranian refugee faces deportation for visiting home country
National Observer
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'It's not a fair law' Iranian refugee from North York facing deportation fears persecution
CP24
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In defence of our Gazan clients
Law360