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It may seem extreme, but advocates want the federal government to fast-track about 5,600 so-called “forgotten refugees” who after five years in Canada have still not been given a hearing.

The refugee claimants, from all over the world, are what are known as “legacy” claimants because they filed for refugee status before the new refugee determination regime came into force in December 2012.

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While under the new system, a claimant must be given a hearing within 60 days — or in some cases 30 days — the legacy claimants, judged low priority by the Immigration and Refugee Board, have been waiting in limbo for five years.

“Families are separated, young people can’t pursue their education, no one can get on with their life – and there is no resolution in sight,” said Loly Rico, the president of the Canadian Council for Refugees. “Fairness requires that we give them the opportunity to regularize their status in Canada without delay.”