Rodriguez Family of Montreal is Deported
The Rodriguez family of Montreal Jaime, Arguelia and their three children, Fernando, 15, Brandon, 8, and Steffani, 5 -- were deported to the United States today (April 11, 2006).
A last-minute picket gathered at 7:30am in front of the downtown offices of the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) today. Thirty supporters and allies of Solidarity Across Borders demonstrated to stop the deportation of the Rodriguez family, or at least to allow a delay so that Fernando and Brandon could finish their school term. The simple demand of the Rodriguez family that their children be allowed to finish their school term was rejected. Even a last-minute cellphone call by Brandons teacher, directly from her classroom to the CBSA Director of Removals, failed to create a change of heart.
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Date: 04/11/2006
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Montreal, 7:30am, April 11, 2006 -- Members of Solidarity Across Borders gather to protest the deportation of the Rodriguez family (Jaime and Arguela, and their three children: Fernando, 15, Brandon, 8, and Steffani, 5.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 365
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The family is scheduled to report for their deportation to the USA at 8am. The Rodriguez family, originally from Guatemala, came to Canada in 2002 via the United States.
Date: 07/21/2005
Views: 357
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Eve, a CEGEP student activist and a member of Solidarity Across Borders, joins the picket before her classes.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 345
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Reza, a refugee from Iran who works with non-status migrants as part of Solidarity Across Borders, passes out flyers to passers-by.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 301
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Supporters chant outside; behind the banner, two Solidarity Across Borders members push inside to speak directly with Canadian Border Services Agency officials.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 345
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Cory (l) and Leslie chant against the pending deporation.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 321
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After 20 minutes of trying to convince CBSA officals to postpone the deportation (using letters from schoolteachers) Sarita (l) and Poya are removed from the office by Montreal police.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 334
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Sarita addresses the media outside, after being removed by police. She spoke directly with CBSA officials inside, to try to stop the deportation.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 295
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It's clear that the CBSA will not postpone the deportation, even despite a last-minute plea by Brandon's teacher, by cellphone, directly from her classroom.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 314
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Protesters remain, awaiting the arrival of the Rodriguez family.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 276
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The placard reads: "Denounce the racism and incomptence of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)." The Rodriguez family fled Guatemala after the murder of Jaime's brother. In Canada, there is no appeal on the merits of a refused refugee claim.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 346
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Jaime arrives with his family. Jaime will return to the United States where, in the past several weeks, massive large-scale protests have erupted against anti-immigrant laws.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 286
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Fernando, 15, will lose his school year. Due to his family's displacement he has already lost 3 years of school. The CBSA refused to consider a letter from his teacher asking simply that he be allowed to finish his school year (just two months more).
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 305
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Brandon, 8.
According to his teacher, in a letter written to the CBSA: "Brandon is a very motivated, serious, mature and hardworking student who is determined to succeed. This little delay can make a great difference in the life of this child."
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 291
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After the family is taken inside for their removal, there are many tears by supporters who chant: "So-so-so, solidarité, avec, avec avec les Rodriguez." Friends gave tearful goodbye hugs and kisses.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 314
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Reza takes the megaphone to denounce the deportation.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 356
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Toronto (January 2006): Miriam, a SAB member, with Jaime, Brandon and Steffani, during a protest outside the election offices of then Immigration Minister Joe Volpe (who refused to address the family).
Date: 02/21/2006
Views: 457
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Steffani, 5, who was deported with her elder brothers and parents today in Montreal.
Date: 02/16/2006
Views: 394
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Back in Montreal, silhouettes represent a few of the individuals and families deported by the CBSA in the past years: Shamin Akhtar and family; Mohamed Cherfi; Ahmed Abdel Majeed, Fatima Marhfoul and Ahmed Nafaa. Photos by MAL; Text by JBS.
Date: 04/11/2006
Views: 374
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