No hike in deportations, Solberg says

[CHIMO]

No hike in deportations, Solberg says
Minister says law was put in place by the Liberals

Tories are not considering blanket amnesty

OTTAWA—Immigration Minister Monte Solberg is disputing claims that his government is ramping up the deportations of illegal workers who toil in Toronto's underground economy.

And while Solberg says the immigration laws have to become more flexible to meet labour needs, he dampened hopes that his government was considering a blanket amnesty to let these workers stay in Canada.

"I don't want to pretend that that's something we're looking at," he said in an interview yesterday.

Citing anecdotal evidence, immigration lawyers and community leaders have complained that federal agencies have been more aggressive in going after illegal workers, many from the Portuguese community.

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