Eva Osorio, CEO of immigration consulting for Global Proficio, focuses on the real stories behind the paperwork of each immigration case. “The process of immigration doesn’t only exist on paper: It’s an investment of time, effort, dreams and hope.”
Osorio began her own immigration journey when she arrived in Halifax from Cuba where she acted as a translator between a Canadian company and Cuba’s Ministry of Hydromechanical Industries. Afterwards, she became involved with the Halifax Refugee Clinic. It was at the clinic that she discovered her passion for refugee and immigrant law. She first acted as a coordinator and later became the executive director.
Her own experience as a newcomer to the country inspired this journey. “When I arrived in Halifax 23 years ago, there was only minor-scale help for these communities,” she said.
Working in the refugee clinic allowed her to form connections across the city, including forming a partnership with Dalhousie Law and Dalhousie’s School of Social Work. These relationships allowed Osorio to bring in reliable volunteers to help to build the refugee clinic from the ground up.
Over the years, the clinic has grown to have 32 volunteers and more than 600 individuals have sought immigration help at the clinic. This was a journey that developed “pasito a pasito” (step-by-step work). “Many law and social work students who began there now became successful immigration professionals.”
Osorio enjoyed doing local work and becoming involved in the complex world of these immigrants. “The journey can be hard, there is no guarantee it will be easy,” said Osorio. Oftentimes, her journey to recruit individuals and raise money through fundraisers would involve working from 10 a.m. to midnight.
There have been individuals who have been rejected in their immigration processes. “One learns to work with Canadian immigration, for there are consistently new policies and new regulations to be up to date with,” said Osorio.
Helping individuals navigate these currents of change takes time and effort and there are instances of death or family reunification that is never completely achieved. Osorio said that having to explain these rejections can often be painful. “I remember each and every case.”
Despite the difficult days, Osorio keeps the happy stories from her work close to heart. “I see so many kids who I worked with in the past around Halifax, they approach me and ask if I remember them,” said Osorio.
Seeing successful immigrant children grow into adults is something that fills Osorio’s heart with satisfaction, recalling how young they looked in their first passport pictures. Similarly, when Osorio drives around Halifax she notices many businesses and houses of old clients who have now become Canadian citizens.
The resilience of refugees and immigrants never ceases to amaze her. Osorio has met individuals who have learned English in their mid-50s in the hope of forming a new life in Canada.
Osorio’s career has branched out since her time at the Halifax Refugee Clinic. Osorio became a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and founded her own company, Global Proficio Inc., where she works with fellow immigrant specialists who can help her to navigate the ups and downs of the business.
Likewise, her background in law has grown and Osorio is a Commissioner of Oaths for the province of Nova Scotia. Nationally, she is an active member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), as well as a member of an Advisory Committee in Queens University for immigration law programs.
