Montreal protesters urge Ottawa to halt Haiti deportations after travel advisory issued

Protesters are calling on the Canadian government to declare a moratorium on deportations to Haiti as civil unrest sweeps the country.

About two dozen protesters held a rally in front of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Montreal offices today.

READ MORE: Canadians told to ‘shelter in safe place’ as violent protests erupt in Haiti, travel warning issued

“The Canadian government issued a travel warning – saying it’s unsafe for Canadians to go, to travel to Haiti. So if it’s unsafe to travel to Haiti – then it’s unsafe for them to deport people there,” said activist Jennie-Laure Sully.

Organizer Frantz Andre says federal officials shouldn’t be deporting people to Haiti at the same time they’re warning Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel to the Caribbean nation due to political unrest and the risk of violence.

“Don’t forget that Mr. Trudeau invited them to come here by saying ‘welcome to Canada’ – if you’re being persecuted, if the U.S is sending you out,” said Andre. “The first group that is hurt is the Haitian community.”

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One asylum seeker, who would not give his name for fear of reprisal, says he came to Canada after criminals ransacked his home and threatened his wife and children.

WATCH: Violent protests erupt in Haiti

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He says he’s scared to be sent back to Haiti where he believes his possessions will be gone and he won’t be able to protect his family.

Canada previously had a moratorium on deportations to Haiti that lasted between 2004 and 2014.

A spokesperson for Citizenship and Immigration Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

— With files from Global’s Felicia Parrillo