Paper short abstract:

Personal testimonials and lived experiences of Ghanaian migrants highlight ruptures between the welcoming discourse of Canada's immigration policies and the ultimate realities of settlement.

Paper long abstract:

Based on multi-sited fieldwork, this paper briefly touches upon immigration policies as an entry-point to explore the lived experiences of members of the Ghanaian diaspora in Canada. Using life histories and immigration experiences, it highlights the impacts of people's decisions to uproot themselves from the familiarity of "home' to relocate to Canada, either directly or as a final landing point. One critical aspect of this movement is experienced when becoming entangled in the bureaucratic process of immigration, wherein regulations can keep families, spouses, parents and children separated from one another. This comes at a huge social, personal, and economic cost to individuals. While the immigration discourse nominally endorses cultural diversity, specific cultural differences, especially those thought of as far removed from the Canadian standard, are viewed as obstacles to immigration and integration. Migrants' narratives of lived experiences serve as counter-discourses that challenge the welcoming and inclusive discourse surrounding immigration and settlement to Canada. These narratives also demonstrate the resilience of individuals determined to survive.