'I am looking out for their lives': A Winnipeg family is seeking help as they face deportation before the end of the year
A family that has lived in Winnipeg for three years is pleading for help as they are facing deportation.
Afaq Ahmed said his family of six came to Winnipeg in 2019 from Saudi Arabia and applied for asylum.
Since coming here, Ahmed said he and his wife work, they own their home and their kids all go to school.
Despite this, Ahmed said the request for asylum was denied as well as two appeals.
"Once this has happened, and in the CBSA system, it's automatic, removal is enforced and they have to deport such peoples," said Ahmed.
Alastair Clarke is an immigration lawyer with Clarke Immigration Law. He hasn't represented the family during this process, but said there can be several reasons why an asylum application is denied.
"The adjudicators at the tribunal obviously take the claims very seriously. They ask very serious and often difficult questions, in order to see if the claimant is telling the truth, to see whether or not the claimant meets the definitions under Canadian law," said Clarke.
Source: Afaq Ahmed. Oct 22, 2021
Ahmed said his families' last hope is they have applied to stay in the country through the Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations application, noting he has young daughters and if they were to be deported to Pakistan, which is where their passports are from, it would be very dangerous for them there.
Clarke said this application allows applicants to outline their exceptional circumstances and the hardships they could face if they were forced to return home.
Ahmed said the application was sent in the beginning of September.
"The children are minors; they've lived here for three years. They're used to this life," he said. “They're my children, I am only looking out for their lives, their future," said Ahmed.
Clarke noted that while this is a step families can take, it doesn't stop the deportation process.
"A representative has to possibly go back to federal court to do a stay motion in order to keep this family in Canada," said Clarke.
Ahmed said if their last effort to stay is denied they could be deported by the first week of December.
"My children are very upset; my whole family is very upset. They’re crying actually. The time is a very difficult time."
Kanwal Kanwal is Ahmed's daughter and is currently in high school in Winnipeg and she said she is extremely concerned about having to leave Canada.
"If I go back home, I will die there, definitely," she said. "It is a matter of human rights."
Ahmed said the family considers Canada to be their country and don't want to leave.
CTV News has reached out to the Canada Border Service Agency for comment and is waiting for a response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.