WATCH: New developments tonight in a case involving a family from the Yukon facing deportation and a difficult decision. Nadia Stewart reports.
A family from Whitehorse facing deportation says they’ve decided to give up their fight to stay in Canada – even though it would mean forfeiting medical care for their youngest son.
READ MORE: The family arrived in Vancouver yesterday
Sergio Rojas is from Mexico and Linda Martinez is from Nicaragua. They have a seven-year-old son born outside of Canada, but their youngest Jonathan was born in the Yukon.
He was born with a deformed skull and a neck-muscle disorder. While these conditions do not appear to be life threatening, they do require ongoing treatment to ensure his continued speech and mobility development.
After being here for seven years, the couple applied for residency in Canada but were denied. It’s not exactly clear why. They have now been told they must leave the country by March 4.
“Canada, I was thinking was the best future for us. Now Canada has destroyed our hearts,” said Sergio Rojas when he arrived at YVR on Wednesday evening.
“I worry. I worry for my son,” said Martinez, before breaking down in tears.
“I feel bad, very bad. My son needs health care.”
WATCH: Aaron McArthur spoke to Jan Stick, NDP health and social service critic in Yukon. She calls their story a human tragedy.
Initially, the family told Global News they were concerned Jonathan would not receive proper medical care outside of Canada and have reportedly been told so by doctors.
However, the family said Thursday their fight to stay in Canada has become “too political” and emotionally taxing on their two children. They also say they do not believe they have the support of their Whitehorse MP, Ryan Leef, as they have not heard from him in recent days. Repeated calls by Global News to Ryan Leef’s office in Ottawa were not returned.
The family declined an on-camera interview on Thursday. They spoke with Global News after leaving the Mexican Consulate in downtown Vancouver.
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