Help Stop A Deportation

PHONE/FAX TO IMMIGRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Ask that Joe Volpe use his discretion to grant a Temporary Resident's Permit to Sherry-Ann Walters so that she can remain in Canada legally until her application to CIC for status on humanitarian and compassionate grounds can be heard, and that she be released from detention immediately and not given a deportation date. Ask that the Greater Toronto Enforcement Centre release Sherry-Ann Walters from detention immediately, and do not give her a deportation date.

Immigration Minister (Joe Volpe):
Toronto: (416) 781-5583 (phone)
(416) 781-5586 (fax)
Ottawa: (613) 992-6361 (phone)
(613) 992-9791 (fax)
Removal Officer (JD Samuels):
(905) 405-3630 (phone)
(905) 405-3529 (fax)

32 year-old Sherry-Ann Walters left Trinidad with her father, brother and sisters in 1988 after the death of her mother. She has been living in Toronto for 18 years - since she was 15 years old.

In 1992, Sherry-Ann and her family lost their refugee claims. Her father, brother and sisters returned to Trinidad, but Sherry-Ann stayed on in Toronto to complete her high school education and OAC. Her family has since immigrated to Canada, and her father and step-mother are now Canadian Citizens. Her brother and sisters are Permanent Residents.

On April 12th of this year, frustrated by 18 years of living and working without access to essentials like health care and emergency services, Sherry-Ann decided to approach an immigration consultant for guidance. Unfortunately, the 'consultant' who she spoke to was an unregistered con artist who mis-advised her to turn herself in to Immigration, and to refuse to answer any questions by officials. Sherry-Ann was detained, and since then has been held at the Immigration Holding Centre on Rexdale Boulevard.

Acting quickly to deport Sherry-Ann, Enforcement tried to have her removed before she had received a decision on her Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). Any person being deported has a right to a PRRA, but this didn't stop Enforcement from scheduling a deportation for May 18th. Sherry-Ann's family hired a lawyer at great expense to have this deportation stayed in Federal Court, but two days later a negative decision came on the PRRA. Now, Sherry-Ann could be deported at any time.

Sherry-Ann has a strong application in the system for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, and a family class sponsorship by her father and step-mother, who are Canadian Citizens. Sherry-Ann came to Canada at 15, and finished high school in Toronto. She has worked full-time since completing school, as a nanny and housekeeper for a Brampton family. Sherry-Ann is active in the church congregation at Grace and Truth Message Tabernacle as a member, youth group leader and secretary; volunteers her time with the Eagle's Cry Ministries International; and is supported by her Member of Parliament, Ruby Dhalla. Her gounds for humanitarian and compassionate stay are strong, including exceptionally strong local establishment, a family class sponsorship, a tremendous amount of community support, and a perfect record of employment in Canada.

If deported, Sherry-Ann would be utterly alone, facing extreme poverty in an unfamiliar country. She no longer has any family in Trinidad, as her brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins now live in Toronto as Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents. A recent swell in reports of kidnappings and murders of young single women in the national capital means that Sherry-Ann could also face violence, against which she would have no means of defense.

Don't hesitate - phone and fax NOW!!!

Immigration Minister (Joe Volpe):
Toronto: (416) 781-5583 (phone)
(416) 781-5586 (fax)
Ottawa: (613) 992-6361 (phone)
(613) 992-9791 (fax)
Removal Officer (JD Samuels):
(905) 405-3630 (phone)
(905) 405-3529 (fax)

Ask that Joe Volpe use his discretion to grant a Temporary Resident's Permit so that she can remain in Canada legally until her application to CIC for status on humanitarian and compassionate grounds can be heard, that she be released from detention immediately.