Your client Mitzi has a pending humanitarian and compassionate application which you filed 10 months ago. A decision generally takes about 1.5 years, and you always update files along the way if any relevant information changes. You advised Mitzi to give you any updated evidence any time.

Mitzi was overage when her parents immigrated from Uganda and settled in Vancouver, so she did not immigrate with them. She has a multiple entry visitor visa to visit them. During her second visit last year, her parents were injured in a serious car accident. Mitzi extended her visitor status to stay with them during the lengthy hospitalizations and surgeries. Both parents are now back home but need full-time care. Mitzi is the only sibling who is single and able and willing to provide care over the long term, and dearly wishes to do so. However, she does not meet the criteria for the caregiver programs, so you have applied under H&C for her to obtain permanent residence.

When you were out of the office on Friday, Mitzi dropped off a package with updated medical information about each parent as well as some pictures of herself at the recent gay pride parade. Her H&C application made no reference to sexual orientation, and you had not previously discussed anything along this line with her. You start thinking about how this might impact her H&C case and are generally aware of the horrific persecution of gays and lesbians in Uganda.

Discuss how your own scope of practice may become a relevant consideration in this scenario?