Miguel, a 22-year-old apprentice carpenter in Montreal and the primary provider for his young family, is at risk of being deported. He and his 23-year-old partner, Andrea, who fled an abusive relationship in Mexico and faced domestic violence in Canada, are now facing separation due to Canada’s increased efforts to deport more individuals seeking asylum.
Andrea, holding their seven-month-old baby, describes Miguel as the family’s pillar of strength, the sole breadwinner, and a constant source of support at home. The couple is supported by the Montreal Welcome Collective, an organization aiding refugees and asylum seekers.
Facing threats from Mexican cartel members and fearing potential tracking by abusive ex-partners in both Mexico and Quebec, Miguel and Andrea’s identities have been kept confidential by CBC. The family is urgently trying to persuade the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to extend their deportation deadline to allow for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) process to prove that Miguel’s life is in danger in Mexico.
Despite their efforts, Miguel’s deportation date of May 5 is set before the eligibility for the PRRA, prompting concerns raised by Maryse Poisson of the Welcome Collective about the timing of deportations. Canada has recently announced stricter immigration policies, including a target of deporting 20,000 individuals annually between 2025 and 2027.
The surge in deportations, coupled with the passing of Bill C-12, has put thousands in immigration uncertainty, leading advocates to call for preventing family separations. In Quebec, border officials seem to overlook factors like children’s welfare and family unity during deportation decisions, according to immigration lawyers like Anne-Cécile Khouri Raphaël.
The Welcome Collective has been involved in several cases of family separation, advocating for fair treatment and legal representation for families facing deportation. Miguel, who has been the family’s financial backbone since arriving in Canada three years ago, faces the harsh reality of leaving his stable life behind and the impact it would have on his loved ones.
Despite the denial from CBSA to delay Miguel’s deportation, his legal representative, Juliette Jan, has stepped in to support his case, emphasizing the human aspect and the impact on the newborn in the family. The situation reflects a growing trend of accelerated and stringent deportation practices in Quebec, prompting concerns about the well-being and rights of individuals and families seeking refuge in Canada.