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Lankan woman grew up in Canada, being deported for missing Passport

11 May 2014 04:03 am - 50     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A Sri Lankan woman, who has practically grown in Canada after being in the country for 14 years, then marrying a Canadian and having two kids, is being deported for a missing passport in one of the cruelest cases of aggressive deportation under the Stephen Harper Conservatives.

Janina Ibarra, who was arrested by border officials in April, who moved to Canada from Sri Lanka at age 15, is married to a Canadian man. They have two boys together, ages 7 and 10, reported CTV News.

“It’s really devastating to think that she could leave us, she could leave me, the family could be split apart,” said husband Eliseo Ibarra. “For the government to split up a family like this, it’s just unbelievable.”

The problem stems from what Janina describes as a clerical mistake dating back nearly 10 years.

Her Sri Lankan passport, a necessary document to apply for Canadian citizenship, went missing somewhere between Canadian Immigration and the Sri Lankan High Commission.

That one lost document turned into years of frustration for the Ibarras.

For years they tried to sort out the problem with no success. Overcome by frustration, they eventually gave up on dealing with immigration altogether.

“To many people, they think it’s a slam dunk case, and a lot of people don’t understand the hardships that go with the legal side of things,” Janina said.

Years went by as the couple raised their two boys, now 7 and 10 years old. But in late April 2014, Canada Border Services agents arrested the mother outside of her Vancouver home.

“The officers come out and kind of yell in your face ‘You’re under arrest,’ they read me my rights, they handcuff, body check for weapons, and then take me downtown,” she said.

Her husband was outraged.

“They said that they were coming to pick up my wife for immigration. The whole process was just absurd. I don’t know why they couldn’t just go up to the door and say ‘Hey, is Janina here?’ We would’ve gladly cooperated with them,” Eliseo said.

An immigration lawyers told CTV News a new government policy to clear up historic cases could be to blame for the family’s hardship.

“To me, at this stage, it’s sort of a mystery as to why she’s being deported if she hasn’t done anything wrong,” said Lawrence Wong. “It’s very difficult because the law itself is not very clear.”

But Wong said he doubts the government will go through with deporting Janina.

“If this person has a Canadian spouse and children born in Canada that would be quite unusual,” he said.

The Ibarras said they are currently trying to build a case for Janina to stay in Canada as she appeals the decision.

“[My kids] have never been apart from me for one day,” she said. “It’s just not an option.”Courtesy CTV News

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  Comments - 50

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  • ind Monday, 12 May 2014 05:32 AM

    Terrorists are keeping without issue, but innocents are deported! What a democratic country.

    ind Monday, 12 May 2014 04:11 AM

    You can get back to Canada by doing a simple thing. Just tell you were harressed and tortured by government on the arrival (No need to be true!!). Next flight you can go to Canada and get PR very easily.

    sinhala modaya Monday, 12 May 2014 04:15 AM

    Pity she is not a tamilean other wise tiger diaspora mafia there would have pounced on harper boys, threatened to withdraw their support to prevent deportation.

    Fair N Square Monday, 12 May 2014 04:34 AM

    My sisters family are Canadians but been living in SL for more than a decade and not been to Canada even once.. I know so many families like that... Her 3 kids were born in SL and they have Canadian Passports... just so they have easy access to travel than on a SL passport, which is a challenge by itself...

    Fair N Square Monday, 12 May 2014 04:39 AM

    These so called Human Rights advocates have skeleton in their closets...shame... I know of a SL family whose parents were deported, while the daughter was held back in USA ( coz she was born in USA and is a native citizen and not one who acquired citizenship like some of our politicians) , she was 6 yrs. She had to travel to SL by herself after 15 days.. I also knew of so many such cases.. there was one Hispanic mother who had 8 kids and she was deported while the 8 kids were held back and given for adoption... so much for Family unity... No wonder they do NOT have family bond and live more like animals...

    mohamed asfar Monday, 12 May 2014 04:45 AM

    is she deported or not ?

    Imtias Monday, 12 May 2014 04:55 AM

    Why so many bashing Canada and not a single comment inviting the entire family to come to Sri Lanka. Give them a decent living opportunity.

    Why is this pot calling the kettle black?

    C.K.Lankaputhra Monday, 12 May 2014 05:19 AM

    The biggest joke of 2014 and an engineer becoming a joker of himself.

    Jokerii Monday, 12 May 2014 05:29 AM

    well said. It's good DM had the courage to publish your post.

    Jokerii Monday, 12 May 2014 05:29 AM

    well you are mistaken.

    Jokerii Monday, 12 May 2014 05:31 AM

    the do-gooder states in the world that are sooo concerned about what happens in the rest of the world, showing their true ugly side.

    CHC Monday, 12 May 2014 05:31 AM

    Yeah !!! I support you.

    CHC Monday, 12 May 2014 05:32 AM

    Oh but have you visited the embassy? True they are more hippies than Canadians !!!

    piumi Monday, 12 May 2014 04:10 AM

    Kohe giyath antimata enna wenne Lankawata tamai

    CHC Monday, 12 May 2014 05:37 AM

    Oh I beg to defer !! They do have a say with the politicians. Please check your sources.

    Shimark Monday, 12 May 2014 05:47 AM

    How far this world has gone? Someone needs a paper to live in a piece of land??? Anybody born anywhere should have their right to live any where as they wish... this is the basic right of human race.... but with one condition... do not disturb the existing public on that land... still on this condition you know there are rules and regulations to protect others right... what an atrocity the human race is going through... for the well being of some rich countries, others have to sacrifice... even your children???

    hamid Monday, 12 May 2014 05:56 AM

    all sri lankans who are canadian now , have presented bogus names,documents when entering canada, most of them have destroyed there original documents, diasporas whould be deported soon, there are indian nationals who have applyed and obtained canadian citizenship as original sri lankans, canada has not only bogus sri lanken refuuges among her citizens,most of her citizens who call themself canadians are fake.

    Chathu Monday, 12 May 2014 06:21 AM

    Ms Janina, be an LTTEer. Or a Sri Lankan basher. Harpor will excuse you from all the problems.

    V.Sathasivam Monday, 12 May 2014 06:40 AM

    Canada is boasting about freedom and regulations,but this shows how do they handle the case in cruel manner a mother
    with kinds.
    The regulations are for Asians and Africans.

    senarmando Monday, 12 May 2014 07:03 AM

    Janina Ibarra had 10 years to get her permanent residency after getting married to a Canadian.
    Just because you married a Canadian doesn't mean that the Canadian Permanent residency card will come from heaven and land on your door step.
    You have to do the work yourself or get someone to do the paper work. Don't blame Canada for your mistakes.

    saha Monday, 12 May 2014 08:22 AM

    They point a finger at us but they don' t know what happens under their noses. Do not throw stones from inside a glass house

    Christo Monday, 12 May 2014 08:43 AM

    To all Canadian people: your own government is clamping down on the human rights issue with the Sri Lankan government and projecting to the whole world that Canada takes human rights very seriously.
    But how barbaric would it be to separate mother form her own children and a wife form her husband. Isn’t this the very ingredient to human rights?
    How come Canada you tolerate hard core LTTE criminals in your own soil, based on human rights and try to mess up with a family that has been a contributor to the welfare of the community that they live in.
    Ugly on you Canada! You got your minds so screwed.

    Pauline Tuesday, 13 May 2014 06:12 AM

    I am sure Sri Lanka is then...lol. This country is a joke. A recent study had claimed that more than 80% of Sri Lankan men suffer from some sort of mental disease. This is evidently true when one sees how a Sri Lankan drives on the road. Full of anger, hate, jealousy, vindictiveness.. Classic Sri Lankan traits. Better if you stay in Sri Lanka as it is better to bring up your child. Don't go abroad, they do not like you despite your "fake smile".

    Luckwin Tuesday, 13 May 2014 10:12 PM

    Passport is just a document. children life is more worth than this papers. via DM Android App

    James Wednesday, 14 May 2014 02:10 AM

    Why not take it up with the HRC in the UN..Canadians insist on non violation and are against violation of human rights ya via DM iPad app

    yahoo massager Sunday, 11 May 2014 07:48 AM

    [quote name="asoka"]Boycot going to Canada...and close down the high commissions here and deport all Canadians...[/quote]

    There are no Canadians here.

    Concerned Sunday, 11 May 2014 04:39 AM

    Our hearts go out to this unjustly, inhumanly and cruelly treated family in Canada!

    Banda Sunday, 11 May 2014 04:49 AM

    She should become Tamil, all problems will be solved.

    Roger Sunday, 11 May 2014 05:04 AM

    Though the SL embassy in Canada didn't find her missing Passport and or give another passport for this women for years; They readily issued an emmergency travel documents to this mother of two to facilitate the deportation. This is the true story

    Gamarala Sunday, 11 May 2014 05:16 AM

    Why did the Sri Lanka Embassy not issue her a duplicate passport,? She must have had documents to prove that she was born in Sri Lanka, also the fact she did immigrate to Canada on her original passport. The other option now for her is to claim asylum in Canada.

    Kasun Sunday, 11 May 2014 11:14 AM

    An act of the so called Canadian goventment which really concerned about human rights of other countries like SL.... Funny isnt it They are no better than our shameless politicians. Feelling sorry for the Family... via DM Android App

    V Sunday, 11 May 2014 11:18 AM

    Its just a passport. I mean the world has to stop thinking in terms of rules and regulations and start thinking in terms of human nature. In the current world you are an illegal living thing unless a piece of paper states otherwise. Just sad. Hope this family stays together. via DM Android App

    suranga Sunday, 11 May 2014 05:48 AM

    if she doesn't have a Sri Lankan passport, how are they going to deport her here. How can they legally claim she's Sri Lankan. what is this world coming to..

    Chief Sunday, 11 May 2014 05:50 AM

    Western Cruel Policy has been adopted. More to come.

    mike.p Sunday, 11 May 2014 06:02 AM

    welcome to Canada the miracle of Americas!!

    asoka Sunday, 11 May 2014 06:21 AM

    Boycot going to Canada...and close down the high commissions here and deport all Canadians...

    upul Sunday, 11 May 2014 06:51 AM

    Comparing to Sri Lanka , which one is better.

    Empulze Sunday, 11 May 2014 01:02 PM

    Hope you could sort out the matter as soon as possible and get back to your family via DM Android App

    ANTON Sunday, 11 May 2014 04:35 AM

    "CANADA IS NOT AN IDEAL PLACE IN THIS UNIVERSE TO BE A MOTHER '

    Muheed Jeeran Sunday, 11 May 2014 07:58 AM

    Please ask the family to contact me... I can influence the Harper's govt to intervene based humanitarian grounds. Family comes first and I can feel how this mother frustrated... email m_jeeran@yahoo.com

    ENg.M.V.R.Perera Sunday, 11 May 2014 08:49 AM

    There is better human rights in Sri Lanka than in Canada

    perera Sunday, 11 May 2014 08:53 AM

    wrong comment. most canadians have nothing to do with what the politicians do just like in sri lanka.

    Nims Sunday, 11 May 2014 11:04 PM

    Neither!!! Sorry mate- this may be not the answer you expected

    Roshan Monday, 12 May 2014 05:53 AM

    Human rights Canadian way. Hmmmm. via DM iPad app

    AntiPA Monday, 12 May 2014 06:05 AM

    JaninaChange your name to a dravidian sounding one and mighty Canada will accept you with open arms. via DM Android App

    Nimal Monday, 12 May 2014 02:32 AM

    [quote name="Banda"]She should become Tamil, all problems will be solved.[/quote]

    Very cheap comment Banda it not funny.

    Dimuth Monday, 12 May 2014 02:42 AM

    Come to SL with the family.

    SriLankan Monday, 12 May 2014 02:55 AM

    It's a plain idiot who can do the comparison in this manner...Pls try to compare the Human Right champion like Canada with the SL.

    shanthapriya Monday, 12 May 2014 03:04 AM

    they only support terror

    Niroshan Monday, 12 May 2014 03:29 AM

    Many Canadians hiding and try to do business in Sri Lanka, we need to chase them out.


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