A family of Mexican origin fears they will have to return to their country next week because their application for refugee status in Canada was rejected even on appeal. The problem is that his safety in Mexico would be at risk.
They left their home because they were threatened by an industrial cartel that demanded 10,000 pesos, the equivalent of about 750 Canadian dollars, every month for the success of their business.
After closing their restaurant to stop this extortion, the mother and two children were victims of an attempted kidnapping as they left school. They were able to escape the men because other parents were not far from the school. They fled to Canada in 2019.
“At least give the family more time to file another application, because in the end they were not judged fairly because they were not well represented,” explained the French teacher who assisted them in the matter, Marie-Lyne Dubois.
The decision said that “they have the possibility of internal refuge” in another city in Mexico and that she could not prove that the cartel was still looking for her despite the restaurant’s closure.
According to the court, her first lawyer did a poor job, which is why the case could be appealed. According to Ms. Dubois, he failed to appear in court twice and failed to perform important administrative duties related to immigration.
According to the family, the second one would not have done any better.
The Town of Plessisville became involved in the matter. The mayor called on the government to reverse the decision as he believes his citizens have not been adequately supported in their efforts.
“It’s a bit inexplicable, why aren’t we more accommodating on immigration?” We know the battery industry coming to the region will create thousands of jobs, so we’re very interested in welcoming our people,” added Mayor Pierre Fortier.
The parents work in the steel industry, the two children go to school and they all take French courses. Over the last 4 years, great effort has been made to ensure that they integrate well into their environment.
“Given their learning difficulties and even certain psychological difficulties, we realized there was a story behind them. The school team invested more than ever in looking after these children, to offer them a good environment and to show them that they are good,” explained the director of the primary school the two children attended, Stéphane Drolet.
They don’t have a plan B. They just want to stay here “that the Canadian government gives me the opportunity to stay here in Quebec,” the father whispered.
Mégantic-L’Érable MP Luc Berthold sent a letter to his immigration colleague asking him to review the decision.
In particular, we can read: “It has been proven that, as a result of the numerous errors made by their lawyer, there has been a breach of natural justice and therefore the family could not benefit from fair and just representation.” He added that he “the decision don’t accept.”
[du] Ministry to deny refugee status to the Cuapantecatl-Hernandez.”