Sergio R. Karas

Sergio R. Karas practices in the following areas of law: Immigration Law

Admitted: 1988, Ontario

Law School: Osgoode Hall Law School, LL.B., 1986

College: York University, B.A., 1983

Member: Ontario (Chair, 2007, Vice Chair, 2005—; Secretary, 2003-2005, and Member-at-Large, 2001-2003, Citizenship and Immigration Section), New York State, American, International (Co-Chair, 2007— and Vice-Chair, 2002-2006, Immigration and Nationality Committee) and Inter-Pacific Bar Associations; Law Society of Upper Canada; American Immigration Lawyers Association; Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC; Volunteer, Government Relations Committee); American Chamber of Commerce.

Biography: Mr. Karas contributes to the press providing current information about Canada's Immigration law and policies. His articles are published in several languages in national and international journals, and he provides immigration policy insight and commentary to Canada's national press. He is a regular guest on local, national and international radio and television programs, and hosted his own show "Immigration and You" on ITV and Vision of Asia broadcasted bi-weekly for six years in New York and New Jersey. Mr. Karas is a contributing writer on immigration issues for Canadian HR Reporter, a publication for Human Resources Managers, featured columnist for Canadian Employment Law Today and consulted as an expert on immigration issues by The Globe and Mail, National Post, Maclean's magazine and by U.S. based publications. Quoted in Newspaper Articles: "Border agents seek refugee at wrong temple" The Globe and Mail, December 14, 2007; "Immigration: give us your skilled" Canadian Business magazine, October 10, 2007; "Illegal Immigrants lured to Canada" National Post, September 20, 2007; "Deportee can stay to change religion", September 12, 2007; "Deportation appeals a Canadian "tragedy", National Post, August 13, 2007; "Microsoft takes a big step into near-shoring in Canada", Computerworld, July 11, 2007; "senators to debate immigration policy", USA Today, May 21, 2007; "Smuggling sentences too lenient, critics say" The Globe and Mail, April 26, 2007; "International crime" The Globe and Mail, April 21, 2007; "New foreign worker measures not perfect", Law Times, March 5, 2007; "Post September 11 security transcends practically," Law Times, March 5, 2007; "Small and medium-size firms look to alliances to gain global" The Lawyers Weekly, January 26, 2007; "Ex-spy loses lawsuit over Canada's refusal to let her return," The Globe and Mail, December 22, 2006; "Matching needs to Immigration Colle's goal," Law Times, December 7, 2006; "Immigrant target hits 25-year high," The Globe and Mail, November 1, 2006; "Russian spy sues Ottawa for being left out in Cold," The Globe and Mail, October 4, 2006; "The Quest for Talent Acquisition," Mobility magazine, Summer 2006; "Outsourcing Legal Work raises Privacy Concerns," Law Times, Sept. 11, 2006; "Arranged marriages becoming more common officials say," The Globe and Mail, May 11, 2006; "Citizenship, immigration audit spark 106 probes," The Globe and Mail, April 28, 2006; "Security risks still in Canada," National Post, April 17, 2006; "Ottawa slow to deport Rwandan war criminal," National Post, April 6, 2006; "Agents seize Immigrant's bogus ID's," National Post, August 26, 2005; "Diabetic prevented from moving to Canada," Globe and Mail, May 5, 2005; "Canada is Wooing Mexican Immigrants," Arizona Republic, May 3, 2005; "How to Repair the Welcome Mat," Globe and Mail, April 22, 2005; "Volpe Promises to Revamp Refugee Process," Globe and Mail, April 19, 2005; "Employers Beware! Misrepresentations can come back to hurt you," Law Times, January 24, 2005; "Law Firm in Sgro Probe has Many Ties to Liberals," National Post, December 10, 2004; "Due Diligence Best Defence Against Scams," Law Times, November 29, 2004; "New Regulatory Amendments Facilitate Work Permit App.," The Bay Street Times, November 16, 2004; "Recruiter for Immigrants Faces 86 Charges," Globe and Mail, November 9, 2004; "Disaffected Americans Look north to Better Government," Globe and Mail, November 4, 2004; "LSUC sets our paralegal regulation plans," Law Times, October 6, 2004; "New Delhi Visa Scam Uncovered," National Post, September 14, 2004; "Man faked way into Canada as Army Major," National Post, August 5, 2004; "Authorities investigating job-offer fraud," Law Times, June 30, 2004; "Visas required for Costa Ricans," National Post, May 12, 2004; "Regulation of consultants a half-baked idea," Law Times, March 15, 2004; "New Rule about to come into effect that reduce...," Globe and Mail, March 9, 2004; "Ottawa to Act Fast on Dissident's Case," Globe and Mail, February 6, 2004; "Group set up to License and Regulate...," Law Times, January 20, 2004; "Refuge from the Stones," Globe and Mail, December 6, 2003; "200,000 Illegal Immigration Toiling Canada's," Globe and Mail, December 2, 2003; "Immigration Minister Eases Entry Criteria," Law Times, October 1, 2003; "Refugee Claimed She'd be Persecuted for Obesity," National Post, August 21, 2003; "Canadian Bid for al-Jazeera Stirs debate, "National Post, April 4, 2003; "Desperate People Come from Paradise," National Post, March 11, 2003; "Palestinian Terrorist Still Here After Four Years," National Post, February 27, 2003; "America's Refugees," National Post, March 3, 2003; "Zundel Seeks Asylum after U.S. Deportation," National Post, February 20, 2003; "Once-Proud Argentina now has starving babies," National Post, January 18, 2003; "Ontario Calls for Hard Line on Migrants," National Post, January 2, 2003; "New Refugee Law Encourages Human Smuggling, Lawyer Says," National Post, November 11, 2002; "More Criminals Allowed into Canada," National Post, November 5, 2002; "Toronto Lawyer Pleased by Immigration Changes," The Canadian Jewish News, September 19, 2002; ""How to Get a NAFTA Visa to Work in the US," Workplace Issues, July 2002; "Lawyer seeks to end visa-free entry for Saudis," The Canadian Jewish News, Thursday July 11, 2002; "Smart Border to turn away more Refugees," National Post, Saturday June 29, 2002; "Canada gains from Saudi Goodwill, Group Says," Globe and Mail, February 8, 2002; "Canberra holds a firm on handling of detainees," National Post, January 23, 2002; "Jews in Exodus from Argentina," National Post, January 8, 2002; "Backlash, Terrorism & Civil Liberties," National Post, December 2001; "Canada needs tight Perimeter," US Ambassador, National Post, September 13, 2001; "Homolka Unlikely to Find Nation of Refuge," Globe and Mail, January 5, 2001; Immigrant Act Loophole Found," National Post, December 27, 2000; "Refugee Claimants inundate Ontario," Globe and Mail, December 11, 2000; "Canada fails to meet quotas for immigration," National Post September 1, 2000; "Strip club group vows to legitimize adult entertainment business," National Post, May 24, 2000; "Tough Bill aims to stop the worst, but attracts the best," National Post, April 7, 2000; "Canada Should go Overseas to Select Refugees," National Post, March 31, 2000; "For Sale in Toronto: Fake Roma Papers," National Post, March 29, 2000; "Die Jewish Claims Conference ringt um ihren Leumund," Die Welt, March 5, 2000; "Canada Aids Cuban Exodus," The Globe and Mail, October 11, 1999; "PM's favor to Pope unravels as 4 Cubans are left in limbo," National Post, September 30, 1999; "Decades of Delay: Wages of Nazi Slavery," The Toronto Star, August 28, 1999; "Who will reap the Nazi-era reparations?" National Post, February 20, 1999; "Holocaust Survivors Still Waiting for Cash," The Gazette (Montreal), December 19, 1998; "Holocaust Payment Plan Troubling," The Lawyers Weekly, September 4, 1998; "Unsettled Accounts: The Swiss Holocaust Funds," The Globe and Mail, September 1, 1998; "Swiss Settle out of Court," The Canadian Jewish News (Canada), August 20, 1998; "Swiss Offer Little Comfort to Claimant," The Toronto Star (Canada), August 14, 1998; "$2 Billion to Settle Holocaust claims," The Toronto Star (Canada), August 13, 1998; "Swiss Settlement Opposed," The Canadian Jewish News (Canada), June 18, 1998; "Shattering Swiss Silence," The Financial Post, December 1, 1997; "Swiss banks issue list of 14,000 accounts," The Globe and Mail (Canada), October 30, 1997; "Bronfman cuts a deal," Saturday Night Magazine (Canada), July-August 1997; "Swiss list published—Praise is muted pending full disclosure," The Canadian Jewish News (Canada), July 31, 1997; "Palestine deposits still unclaimed," The Globe and Mail (Canada), July 29, 1997; "La liste est incomplete, signale l'avocat d'une trentaine de familles canadiennes," La Presse (Canada), July 24, 1997; "Not all happy with list," Montreal Gazette (Canada), July 24, 1997; "Canadians slow to claim dormant Swiss accounts," Ottawa Citizen (Canada), July 24, 1997; "Canadians pore over Swiss bank-account list," The Globe and Mail (Canada), July 24, 1997; "Canadian wants immigration day," The Cincinnati Enquire (USA), May 18, 1997; "Ottawa hit for silence on wartime cash," The Toronto Star (Canada), April 7, 1997; "Settling accounts with Swiss banks," Ottawa Citizen (Canada), March 3, 1997; "Will Swiss Banks Finally Recant For Sins?" The Jewish Tribune (Canada), February 27, 1997; "Swiss image seen key to resolving banking issue," The Canadian Jewish News (Canada), January 23, 1997; "WWII dealings tarnish Swiss heroic myth," USA Today (USA), November 25, 1996; "Holocaust survivors seek justice from Swiss banks," The Toronto Star (Canada), November 16, 1996; "Nazis, gold—and justice," Maclean's Magazine (Canada), November 11, 1996; "Hitler's Bankers," The Times Magazine (UK), November 9, 1996; "Swiss helping search owner of long-dormant accounts," Montreal Gazette (Canada), July 15, 1996; "CSIS checks too slow, would-be immigrants say," The Globe and Mail (Canada), February 15, 1996; "Swiss banks to assist Holocaust heirs," The Globe and Mail (Canada), December 30, 1995; "Singer Heir Seeking WWII Funds," The Jewish Tribune (Canada), November 23, 1995; "Swiss banks lift veil on war victims' accounts," The Toronto Star (Canada), November 19, 1995; "Seeking missing millions," The Canadian Jewish News (Canada), November 2, 1995; "Forest Hill resident set to fight Swiss for $4 million inheritance," Town Crier (Canada), November 1995; "Court ruling could affect refugee claims," The Canadian Jewish News (Canada), January 5, 1995; "Immigrant immigration lawyer parallels his experience with clients," Town Crier (Canada), December 1994; "Refugees in legal limbo," The Globe and Mail (Canada), September 13, 1994; "Israel now Canada's fifth largest producer of refugees," Jewish Life (Canada), July-August 1994; "Immigration panel lacks jurisdiction," Law Times (Canada), July 25-31, 1994; "Tipped off Nigerian police to refugee," Law Times (Canada), March 27, 1995; "Diplomat sought at refugee hearing," The Toronto Sun (Canada), July 11, 1994; "Some immigrants overlook citizenship value, lawyer says," The Globe and Mail (Canada), June 22, 1994; "Canada's actions endanger life refugee claimant, lawyer charges," Law Times (Canada), May 2-8, 1994; "Cuban exile receiving runaround, lawyer says," The Globe and Mail (Canada), September 21, 1992; "Soviet Jews choosing Canada first," The Globe and Mail (Canada), September 10, 1991; "Soviet Jewish woman granted refugee status," The Canadian Jewish News (Canada), August 29, 1991; "Holocaust's 'Last Chapter' far from over, says Lawyer," Law Times, February 29, 1997; "Cuban in gay affair allowed to remain," Toronto Sun, July 20, 1994; "Refugee Status Granted After Ottawa Endangers Life," Globe and Mail, June 28, 1996; "Sri Lanka Man Waiting 8 Years for CSIS Check," Globe and Mail, June 23, 1995; "IRB Panel Supports Claim from Moldova," The Canadian Jewish News, June 22, 1995; "Israeli Refugee Claims Discontinued," The Canadian Jewish News, July 21, 1994; "Tajikistan Jews Allowed to Stay," The Canadian Jewish News, January 21, 1993; "Ottawa Admits Mistake in Refugee-Claim Case," Globe and Mail, July 1, 1993; "Refugee Status Remains Unclear," The Canadian Jewish News, October 3, 1991; "New Policy Poses Problems for Russian Jews," The Canadian Jewish News, November 10, 1994; "Refugee Claimant's case mishandled, Privacy official rules," Globe and Mail, May 5, 1994. Author: "Employer Liability for Immigration Breaches can be Costly", ABA Section of International Law, Fall 2007; "Is it or isn't it work" Canadian HR Reporter"; "Laptops can be searched at the border, US court says," Canadian Employment Law Today, January 2007; "Hiring Foreign Workers? tread carefully," Canadian HR Reporter, December 2006; "Employment of Foreign Nationals Presents Unique Challenges," OBA Addendum, December 2006; "The Residency Obligation under the Canadian IRPA," NYSBA International Law Practicum, Autumn 2006; "The Quest for Talent Acquisition," Perspectives, Managing the Global Workforce, Fall 2006; "Residency Rules for Immigrants," Canadian Employment Law Today, May 2006; "Beware of Misrepresentations," OBA Citizenship and Immigration Newsletter, February 2006; "Practitioners Hindered by Immigration System Unresponsive to Canadian Industry," Report on Mobility, Fall 2005; "Canada offers expanded temporary entry for foreign business people," Canadian HR Reporter, Sept. 21, 2005; "Beware of Misrepresentations! Fraud Provisions Under Canada's Immigration Law," Immigration Law Today, July-Aug. 2005; "Treaties spell out rules for bringing personnel into Canada," Canadian HR Reporter, Mar. 14, 2005; "Getting Foreign Workers into Canada," Canadian HR Reporter, Jan. 31, 2005; "Employers Beware! Misrepresentations can come back to hurt you," Law Times, Jan. 24, 2005; "Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: The End to Visa Post Shopping," AILA Visa Processing Guide, 2004-2005 Edition, June 2004; "Immigration Bar Under Attack in Canada: Regulation of 'Consultants' Sets Dangerous Precedent," International Legal Practitioner, July 2004; "Regulation of 'Immigration Consultants" and Consumer Protection in Canada: ' Does It Legitimize the Unauthorized Practice of Law?" Thinking Beyond Borders, September, 2004; "Beware of Misrepresentations!" LSUC 12th Annual Immigration Law Summit, November 2004; "Current Ethical Consideration for your Immigration Practice," Law Society of Upper Canada CLE Materials, November 2004; "Commentary:Canada: Immigration Bar Under Attack?" International Law Practicum NYSBA, Autumn 2004; "'Strippergate' Exposes Questionable Immigration Policy," Canadian HR Reporter, Dec. 20, 2004. Instructor, Immigration Law, Courts and Tribunal Agents course, Sheridan College, Ontario, Fall 2004. Speaker: IBA, "Global Business Immigration Summit", November 14-15, 2007, IBA Annual Conference, "Global Business Immigration Update", October 14-19, 2007; OBA Conference, "The Border Horror Show - Top Ten Situations for International Business Lawyers and their Clients", September 17, 2007; ABA Web Cast, "Immigration Issues Arising in Corporate Transactions", August 28, 2007; St. Andrew's Club and Conference, "Building and Managing your Legal Business", July 10, 2007; ABA Section of International Law "Spring Meeting", May1-5 2007; ABA Section of International Law, "Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries", April 25, 2007; OBA Conference "The National Foreign Worker Program: Updates and New Directions, Program Chair, March 1, 2007; "The Quest for Talent Acquisition: Attracting the Best and the Brightest" January 15, 2007; Ontario Bar Association, "Skilled Trades Wanted: The Construction Industry Labour Crisis", October 18, 2006; AILA Canada, "Ethics Panel" August 25, 2006; IBA Annual Conference, "Global Business Immigration Update", September 17-22 2006; National Symposium on Canada's Labour Shortage, Leaders Panel, "The quest for Talent Acquisition in a Shrinking Labour Pool" June 15, 2006; Ontario Bar Association, "Law Day - Special Citizenship Ceremony April 6, 2006; "Hot ethical issues for immigration lawyers," OBA Conference Centre, May 18, 2005; "The New EU—new immigration and cross-border employment rules," IBA Annual Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, Sept. 29, 2005; "Labour Needs Cutting Red Tape and Building Partnerships," CERC Annual Meeting, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Oct. 24, 2005; "Hot Tips for the Future," IBA Global Immigration Conference, The Law Society, London, UK, Nov. 11, 2005; "The Creation of CSIC—Pros and Cons," Ontario Bar Association (OBA) Luncheon Session, Toronto, ON, Canada, January 13, 2004; "Federal Skilled Worker," Canadian Bar Association, National CLE, Toronto, ON, Canada, May 1, 2004; The Citizenship and Immigration Law Conference, IRPA, The Continuing Evolution; Discussion Leader, "Third Safe Country Treaties," AILA/IBA joint program, New York, N.Y., October 2, 2004; "The 12th Annual Immigration Law Summit IRPA: The Next Five Years," Toronto, ON, Canada, November 19, 2004; Program Chair, "Service Canada Update, OBA Conference Centre, February 15, 2006. Host, "Immigration and You," ITV and Vision of Asia. Contributor, Immigration Issues, Canadian HR Reporter. Consultant, Immigration Issues: The Globe and Mail; National Post; Maclean's. Radio Station Appearances: CKNW, New Talk 980, August 14, 2007; CBC Radio Canada, Edmonton, February 14, 2007; CBC Radio Canada, Calgary, February 14, 2007; CBC Radio Canada, Thunder Bay, February 14, 2007; CBC Radio Canada, Whitehorse, February 14, 2007; CBC Radio Canada, Victoria, February 14, 2007; CBC Radio Canada (French) News, January 9, 2005; 530 AM Toronto "Radio America," June 18, 2004; CJOB Radio - Winnipeg "CJOB," August 22, 2003; CBC Radio - Toronto, Ontario "Metro Morning, "January 6, 2003; KGOL 1180 AM "Aap Ke Saath," March 18, 2002; CKLW Windsor, Ontario "Windsor Now," September 13, 2001; QR77 Calgary "The Rutherford Show," December 28, 2000; WSBR Radio - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida "The Zelda Young Show," August 25, 1998; CBC Radio - Montreal, Canada "Local News," August 13, 1998; CBC Radio - Ottawa, Canada "National News," August 13, 1998; NPR (National Public Radio) - Washington, D.C. "Talk of the Nation," December 18, 1997; CJAD Radio - Montreal, Canada "The Jim Duff Show," November 27, 1997; CJAD Radio - Montreal, Canada "The Jim Duff Show," July 29, 1997 CBC Radio - Montreal, Canada "Home Run," July 24, 1997; CJAD Radio - Montreal, Canada "The Jim Duff Show," July 23, 1997; CBC Radio - Toronto, Canada "National News," July 23, 1997; CBC Radio - Ottawa, Canada "National News," July 23, 1997; CJMR Radio - Toronto "The Phil Kravetsky Show," May 5, 1997; QR77 Radio - Calgary "The Rutherford Show," July 5, 1994. Television Show Appearances: Business News Network, "Business News - Conrad Black", July 16, 2007; CTS "On the Line" April 20, 2007; CTV, "Late Night News", October 12, 2006; CTV CBC "Late Night News", October 3, 2006; CTS "On the Line" July 10, 2006; CTS "On the Line" April 12, 2006; TVO Ontario "Studio 2", March 22, 2006; Newsworld "CBC Newsworld Live," July 15, 2004; Global Television News "Visas for exotic dancers," June 25, 2004; TV Ontario "Studio 2"; "Gay Refugee Claimants," May 5, 2004; TV Ontario "Studio 2"; "US Border Crackdown," January 7, 2004; TV Ontario "Studio 2," March 17,2003; CBC Television "Disclosure," April 16, 2002; CBC Television "The National," January 27, 2002; CBC Television "The National," October 11, 1999; ITN (New York/ New Jersey) "ITN Live," September 30, 1999; ITN (New York/New Jersey) "ITN Live," February 25, 1999; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide," December 17, 1998; WPXN Channel 31 (New York) "Namaste America," August 23, 1998; CBC Television "The National (in French)," August 13, 1998; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide," December 18, 1997; WTN Network "Jane Hawtin Live," December 3, 1997; CBC Television "The National," July 23, 1997; CBC Newsworld "Politics," July 23, 1997; CTV Television Network "Canada AM," July 14, 1997; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide," July 9, 1997; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide," April 9, 1997; CBC Newsworld "Prime Time," April 7, 1997; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide," December 11, 1996; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide," November 6, 1996; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide," July 3, 1996; CBC Television "The National," June 3, 1996; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide," March 20, 1996; CBC Newsworld "Sunday Morning Live," January 7, 1996; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide," December 27, 1995; Telelatino Television Network "Hablando con los Especialistas," October 31, 1995; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide," October 30, 1995; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide,"November 7, 1994; Telelatino Television Network "Ud. Decide," September 12, 1994. (Certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Specialist in Citizenship and Immigration Law)

Languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese

Born: Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 22, 1959