REGINA – Two Nigerian students have now spent one year in sanctuary. Favour Amadi and Victoria Ordu were studying on scholarship at the University of Regina. They’re facing deportation since last June after they both took jobs at Walmart without proper work visas. The students call it a “misunderstanding” and are seeking a pardon, but the Canadian government isn’t budging.
“It’s very difficult, you have to sleep with one eye open,” said Ordu.
For one year they’ve been in hiding in the basements of several Regina churches; they’ve not been able to go outside, see their friends, or go to school – and that year has taken its toll. The women say they often worry about being taken into custody once again.
“The immigration, we don’t know if they will come into the building, arrest us,” said Favour Amadi.
Both Amadi and Ordu admit they made a mistake, but they say the Canadian government has dealt too harsh of a penalty.
“We think it’s a message and I get that: you cannot break the law when you’re in Canada,” said Kay Adebogun, the students’ immigration counsellor. But, he added, “They’ve (the women) been very remorse about it. They’ve apologized and they’re ready to make amends.”
The students say they are encouraged by the support they’ve received from the community, particularly the university community, who has held rallies to raise awareness.
“Recently, we got word from the president. She told us she was thinking about us and she has also written a letter,” said Amadi.
President Vianne Timmons wrote to immigration minister Jason Kenney asking him to review the students’ case on compassionate reasons.
“It’s been a year, a year that they’ve been in sanctuary for a very minor infraction and these girls deserve education,” she said. “I’m disappointed that it’s been this long. Canada is a country of compassion and I think Canada is a country that cares about human rights and I think we’re a country of understanding.”
In a statement, the Office of the Minister of Public Safety said: “Everyone ordered removed from Canada is entitled to due process before the law. This case is no different. These cases have been considered by the IRB (Immigration and Refugee Board). These individuals have exhausted their legal remedies and as a law enforcement agency, the CBSA is obliged to proceed with the ordered removal.
However, since the womens’ removal order, the rules have changed to now allow international students to work off campus with their study permits. The students say this keeps them optimistic they may be grandfathered and pardoned.
“We are still hopeful with the supports we’re getting that everything will get resolved,” said Ordu.
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