Sub-sub-series consists of a set of manual chapters (binders 1-21) which constitutes the First Immigration Manual, established by the Immigration programme in 1952. It contains formal policy and procedural instructions on implementation of the new Immigration Act of 1952, the Immigration Appeal Board Act of 1967, and regulations made thereunder. The manual was consolidated out of existing policy statements, circulars, and other instructions. Though officially superseded by the Second Immigration Manual in 1971, this manual contains a few amendments up to 1973.
The First Immigration Manual is divided up into 30 numbered chapters. Volume 932 binder 1 contains instructions to Immigration staff on the use and safeguarding of the manual, a table of contents, an index to abbreviations used, a subject index, a series of bulletins announcing amendments, and a master table listing all official amendments.
Each of the 30 chapters sets out formal instructions in a particular field. Topics covered include the content and interpretation of immigration laws and regulations; basic administrative procedures; criteria for the selection and admission of immigrants; documentation (forms, visas, passports, manifests, etc.) required to admit individuals to Canada; inspection procedures at or before the border, including general, medical and security examinations; procedures for dealing with persons whose right to enter or remain in Canada is in question (inquiries, appeals, deportations, and lookouts); assistance to immigrants, including transportation loans, settlement assistance, employment, and personal counselling; citizenship and nationality issues; the maintenance of statistical and other information-control programs such as the Immigration Data System; special controls on particular groups (visitors and other non- immigrants, ships' crews and deserting seamen, students, and particular national or ethnic groups including immigrants from Holland, China/Hong Kong, Asia generally, Great Britain, and the U.S.A.); and lists of ports of entry and overseas offices. Filed with some chapters are formal instructions and related documents such as statutes, policy statements and lists.
