Research Snapshot: Outcomes of Family Separation in Refugee Resettlement in Canada

Key findings from a study on Syrian refugee resettlement and reunification outcomes of prolonged family separation

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Under the Canadian immigration policy, many Syrian families were forced to leave behind their extended family members to qualify for resettlement.

This study aimed to examine how these families navigate policy constraints over time by finding ways to achieve family reunification.

This research builds on our growing understanding of the Family Structure component of the Vanier Institute’s Family Diversities and Wellbeing Framework.

Maghbouleh, N., & Omar, L. (2025, March 19). “Heaven without people is not worth going to”: Refugee resettlement, time, and the institutionalization of family separation. Ethnic and Racial Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2025.2474621