* Mr. Laibar Singh was never handed down a deportation order prior to the one he received in July 2007. He has, therefore, never been "illegal" in Canada before taking sanctuary. Everyone in sanctuary has overstayed a deportation order, not just Singh.
* Mr. Laibar Singh arrived on a fake document, which he declared to Canadian immigration authorities. This is not illegal as international and Canadian refugee law recognizes the reality that many asylum seekers will be forced to travel on fake documents.
* Mr. Laibar Singh has not exhausted all his legal avenues. He has a pending Humanitarian and Compassionate review.
* Mr. Laibar Singh's refusal as a refugee claimant must be understood in the context of a climate where an increasing number of sanctuary cases -- currently at least 10 sanctuary cases across Canada -- represent a growing movement of faith communities that are witnessing and responding to the structural flaws in the immigration and refugee system.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY TO PRESSURE IMMIGRATION MINISTER FINLAY!
At this point, we are calling on all supporters, friends, and allies to PRESSURE IMMIGRATION MINISTER DIANE FINLAY to stay Mr. Singh’s deportation and demand that he be accepted on his pending humanitarian and compassionate exemption.
* CALL (PREFERABLE)
* FAX: (613) 996-9749
* EMAIL: minister@cic.
======> SAMPLE LETTER <========
Minister Finley,
Regarding: Laibar Singh
I am writing regarding the situation of Mr. Laiber Singh. I am sure that you are aware of the case of Mr. Laiber Singh, who is currently in custody and is facing deportation on Monday August 20, 2007.
Mr. Laibar Singh is a paralyzed Punjabi refugee claimant who has been in sanctuary since July 7 2007 at Abbortsford Sahib Kalgidhar Darbar Gurudwara. Mr. Singh came to Canada in 2003 and his refugee claim of persecution at the hands of state police has been rejected based mostly on minor inconsistencies. Mr. Singh suffered from an aneurysm in August 2006 that left him paralyzed and unable to feed himself. Mr. Singh spent four months at Vancouver General Hospital and had also been at the George Pearson Centre receiving 24-hour care since December 2006.
While in sanctuary, Mr. Singh’s health deteriorated and had to be hospitalized. On Monday August 13, while in the hospital, Abbottsford police and Canadian Border Services Agency officers detained Mr. Laibar Singh.
I believe these actions to be a violation of sanctuary and am deeply concerned about the fate of Mr. Singh. It is outrageous that the Canadian government would deport a man who is already struggling to life a live of dignity and autonomy, and whose physical health is so fragile.
Mr. Singh has the support of many community members, South Asian organizations, human rights groups, and disability advocates. I join these voices in expressing my support for Mr. Laibar Singh. For the sake of his own safety, for the well-being of his physical health, and based on the life that Mr.Singh has already established, I fully support him and demand that you approve his application for permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds immediately.
Sincerely,
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