Following a reconsideration request from their lawyer, a Pakistani man faced deportation from the United States shortly after Canadian border services agreed to review his case. However, the decision was only communicated to the lawyer five days after, rendering it ineffective.
Abdul Raqeeb spent over two months in a New York Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center earlier this year. The family’s plight came to light when CBC News highlighted their situation in early September, with Abdul detained and his wife Saba and their two-and-a-half-year-old child Shahzain residing in a migrant shelter in Buffalo.
The family’s journey began when Canadian border agents turned them away at an official crossing in July, despite evidence that Abdul had a relative in Canada, qualifying them for entry and refugee status.
Subsequent to media coverage, Toronto-based immigration lawyer Jared Will intervened in the case and urgently requested the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to reassess the entry request at a land border before Abdul’s imminent deportation. Saba and Shahzain continue to await developments in Buffalo.
Although CBSA agreed to reconsider the case via email on September 23, requiring Abdul to appear in person at a Canadian land port of entry, the decision was dated September 18 and reached Will after Abdul’s deportation on the same day.
Will highlighted several instances of individuals being denied entry into Canada despite meeting eligibility criteria, attributing it to CBSA’s stringent standards.
CBSA did not provide a comment on the matter when approached for response.
Family Detained in U.S. After Failed Attempt to Enter Canada
Abdul Raqeeb, aged 46, migrated from Pakistan to the U.S. with his wife and child on a business and tourism visa earlier this year. The decision to move stemmed from death threats Abdul received for assisting a stranger in escaping violence in Islamabad. Subsequently, the family sought asylum in Canada due to U.S. immigration policies.
Their entry attempt at the Peace Bridge port of entry in July was rebuffed, leading to their detention by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. While Saba and Shahzain were released after eight days, Abdul was transferred to the Batavia, N.Y., detention center.
Facing health issues and poor conditions, Abdul opted for voluntary deportation during an immigration hearing in August.
Following deportation, Abdul encountered challenges in reaching Islamabad, with Pakistani authorities demanding a hefty sum for his release.
Saba expressed disbelief at CBSA’s request for Abdul to appear at a Canadian land border via the U.S. after his ordeal.
Limited Legal Options
Will is exploring alternative legal avenues for Abdul’s entry into Canada, noting the scarcity of options. One possibility includes seeking temporary residence or a visitor visa from Immigration Minister Lena Diab, although such exceptions are rare.
Will questioned the delayed communication of CBSA’s decision, which he deemed futile.
He observed a shift in CBSA’s approach since the start of the year, with a stricter stance on denying entry to individuals, as evident from agency data.
CBSA aims to remove an additional 4,000 individuals from the country by 2027, as per their commitment earlier this year.