Family from France desperate to stay in Calgary, fears for lives if deported – Calgary | 24CA News
A pair dwelling in Calgary with their two teenaged sons are so grateful for his or her Canadian expertise however they’re frightened they received’t be capable of keep.
Global News has agreed to not share their full names to guard their security.
“We have fallen in love with Canada,” Mary stated. “It feels like home.”
“We feel more Canadian than French since the beginning,” Emmanuel stated.
Emmanuel and Mary.
Jill Croteau/Global News
The couple says their lives are in danger. Mary says she’s been by way of hell, surviving years of bodily and psychological abuse in France.
“The trauma I suffered from abusers started when I was young,” Mary stated.
“I was looking… to escape the life I had and it took me a long time to walk in the street and not watch over my shoulder every time,” Mary stated. “I am at a place trying to heal.”
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The household has been dwelling in Canada for almost a decade.
When they first arrived the household stated they began from scratch and had nothing.
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They arrived on a brief work allow however there’s a menace it received’t be renewed as a result of, based on immigration guidelines, one in all them wants a talented job.
“I feel my native country didn’t protect me and now the country of my heart doesn’t want to protect me either,” Mary stated.
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Despite Emmanuel’s schooling, no person will rent him.
“I have a Bachelor degree and have been applying to all kinds of jobs and have manager experience. My wife is a barista at a coffee shop,” Emmanuel stated.
Emmanuel and his sons.
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“It’s pretty scary because there is no way we can go back to France. If we can’t find a skilled job, we don’t know what to do,” Emmanuel stated.
He is pleading with a possible employers to think about the advantages of hiring him.
“Some employers don’t know it’s not that hard to renew a work visa for a Francophone immigrant,” Emmanuel stated.
Mary and her boys.
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They could have an choice resulting from their state of affairs.
“There is humanitarian and compassionate program but it takes two to three years and probably around $20,000 for us to apply, between lawyer fees and assessments,” Emmanuel stated.
He stated if he doesn’t discover work earlier than the March 15 deadline, they will’t keep and can lose their driver’s licences and social insurance coverage numbers.
Immigration lawyer Evelyn Ackah stated the everlasting residency software is advanced.
“Canadian immigration is getting more and more complicated, it’s why people need to hire professionals. You used to be able to do it yourself but if keeps getting harder,” Ackah stated.
Ackah has not labored on Mary and Emmanuel’s case however has some recommendation.
“They’ve been here for nine years and people can become citizens in that time. I find things were probably missed along the way that has led to them being in this critical situation,” Ackah stated.
“If they have been working in a skilled role for 12 months or more, they have another option of the Alberta nominee program where the province can nominate them for permanent residency or they can apply for implied status and they can get an extension of an extra three to four months, if approved,” Ackah stated.
In Canada there may be “express entry,” but it surely’s based mostly on a degree system and takes under consideration quite a lot of elements equivalent to age, stage of schooling, work expertise and language expertise.
“We don’t have enough points to apply to that program,” Emmanuel stated.
Even with the uncertainty, the household is hanging on to hope.
“I am a positive person and I am hopeful there is something out there and we will get there,” Mary stated. “But, like every human, I have doubts sometimes.”
“Our dream is to one day become Canadian citizen(s) and if we have to go through this, that is what we will do,” Emmanuel stated.
They hope to be a voice to different immigrants dealing with boundaries.
“If we could help other immigrants… I am sure we aren’t the only ones in this situation,” Mary stated.
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