A young mother battling a raging cancer is desperate to have her Algerian husband by her side as he waits for his permanent residency, having been denied entry into the country five times despite the advice of his doctors.
“I ask that we accept the visa on humanitarian grounds so that my husband can be with me and my children to help me with all these hardships,” explains Ibtissem Koulali, who has lived in Gatineau since he was 13 Is a Canadian citizen in 2017.
The 35-year-old mother, originally from Algeria, survived breast cancer in 2016. But less than two months ago the ax fell.
“I have cancer that has metastasized to my stomach, liver, lungs and esophagus,” she says, her voice visibly weakened.
The federal employee, who has been on sick leave since August 28, undergoes chemotherapy several times a month. A treatment that will last “several years,” according to a statement from the doctor consulted by Le Journal.
To help her get through this ordeal and care for her children, ages 18 months and 5 months, she is trying to bring her husband, who has been waiting for permanent residency since 2021.
“I made the fifth request [pour un visa de touriste] When I got my diagnosis in August I saw an immigration consultant to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes on the doctor’s notes. Three days later we received a rejection letter,” complains Ms. Koulali.
However, the doctor’s notes are clear.
“[La] “The patient requires moral and physical support and requires the presence of a family member AND her spouse,” we can read.
Systematic rejection
Since 2020, the couple has faced five rejections when applying for a tourist visa for their spouse, which would allow them to stay locally for six months.
“We got married in church in France in 2021 and I became pregnant. It was a high-risk pregnancy and the doctors in Ottawa asked for my husband to come, but he was turned down. I had to give birth alone,” she complains.
In order for her husband to meet her son, Ms. Koulali had to travel to France to introduce him to him. She stayed there for six months and became pregnant again.
Photo provided by Ibitssem Koulali
“For me it was panic [cette nouvelle grossesse]because I knew it would be complicated having a new baby all alone in Canada without my husband after already having a very difficult pregnancy,” she continues, explaining that she almost had an abortion.
“I couldn’t,” she admits.
The couple submitted a fourth application, accompanied by letters from doctors, which was also rejected.
“Useful links”
In its letters, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) points out that Ms. Koulali’s husband’s applications do not meet the requirements, particularly because he has “significant ties to Canada” and that “the reason for this.” [la] A visit to Canada is not compatible with a temporary stay,” says the letter consulted by Le Journal.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY Ibitssem Koulali
For Ms. Koulali, these rejections make no sense.
“At the same time, my sister and father made requests and were allowed to come to me to help me. They always left after six months,” she says.
“I don’t understand why we are being denied this when I can vouch for him, when I have an apartment, a good job. They say they’re afraid he won’t leave Canada, but we’re also taking steps to make sure he immigrates here legally,” she stresses.
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