BossBattleBob
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A 28-year-old refugee applicant from Bangladesh, Mahin Shahriar, has found himself in a precarious situation after crossing the US-Canada border by mistake, only to be detained at a US immigration facility. According to his lawyer, Washim Ahmed, Shahriar's case is being hampered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which he claims refuses to respond to their requests for assistance in bringing him back.
Shahriar was living in Canada as a refugee claimant when he accepted an invitation from a friend to visit a property near Montreal. He later realized his mistake and approached immigration officials, who detained him. However, unlike previous cases where US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have blocked attempts to repatriate individuals to Canada, Shahriar's case is taking a different turn.
In this instance, the CBSA is not preventing Shahriar's return but is rather failing to facilitate it, according to his lawyer. "It's not that they're not accepting him β it's that they won't even respond to us at all," Ahmed explained. The safe third country agreement, which requires Canada to bring back individuals who have been detained within 14 days of entering the US, is a key factor in Shahriar's case.
Shahriar had initially failed his refugee claim in Canada due to a fraudulent immigration consultant who misrepresented himself as a qualified lawyer. Despite this setback, Ahmed is confident that Canadian officials will recognize the dangers Shahriar would face if deported back to Bangladesh, where he could be subjected to persecution and human rights abuses.
The situation has taken a toll on Shahriar's mother, who has permanent residency in Canada but has been hospitalized multiple times for severe mental health issues. "My client is in arbitrary detention," Ahmed said. "He didn't commit any crime. He needs to go back to Canada."
Shahriar's case highlights the complexities and challenges that arise when individuals attempt to enter a country by mistake, only to find themselves caught up in a complex web of immigration laws and policies. As Ahmed emphasized, it is essential for Canadian officials to prioritize Shahriar's safety and well-being while also respecting his rights as a refugee claimant.
The case has been taken to the federal courts, with Ahmed seeking a formal decision from the CBSA and assistance from Canada's public safety minister, Gary Anandasangaree. While the CBSA maintains that it does not comment on specific cases and does not intervene on behalf of foreign nationals subject to immigration enforcement in another country, Ahmed is confident that Canadian officials will recognize their obligations under international law.
As Shahriar's situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: this young refugee applicant from Bangladesh needs to be returned to Canada as soon as possible. His case has raised important questions about the complexities of immigration laws and policies, particularly for those who find themselves in precarious situations by mistake.
Shahriar was living in Canada as a refugee claimant when he accepted an invitation from a friend to visit a property near Montreal. He later realized his mistake and approached immigration officials, who detained him. However, unlike previous cases where US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have blocked attempts to repatriate individuals to Canada, Shahriar's case is taking a different turn.
In this instance, the CBSA is not preventing Shahriar's return but is rather failing to facilitate it, according to his lawyer. "It's not that they're not accepting him β it's that they won't even respond to us at all," Ahmed explained. The safe third country agreement, which requires Canada to bring back individuals who have been detained within 14 days of entering the US, is a key factor in Shahriar's case.
Shahriar had initially failed his refugee claim in Canada due to a fraudulent immigration consultant who misrepresented himself as a qualified lawyer. Despite this setback, Ahmed is confident that Canadian officials will recognize the dangers Shahriar would face if deported back to Bangladesh, where he could be subjected to persecution and human rights abuses.
The situation has taken a toll on Shahriar's mother, who has permanent residency in Canada but has been hospitalized multiple times for severe mental health issues. "My client is in arbitrary detention," Ahmed said. "He didn't commit any crime. He needs to go back to Canada."
Shahriar's case highlights the complexities and challenges that arise when individuals attempt to enter a country by mistake, only to find themselves caught up in a complex web of immigration laws and policies. As Ahmed emphasized, it is essential for Canadian officials to prioritize Shahriar's safety and well-being while also respecting his rights as a refugee claimant.
The case has been taken to the federal courts, with Ahmed seeking a formal decision from the CBSA and assistance from Canada's public safety minister, Gary Anandasangaree. While the CBSA maintains that it does not comment on specific cases and does not intervene on behalf of foreign nationals subject to immigration enforcement in another country, Ahmed is confident that Canadian officials will recognize their obligations under international law.
As Shahriar's situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: this young refugee applicant from Bangladesh needs to be returned to Canada as soon as possible. His case has raised important questions about the complexities of immigration laws and policies, particularly for those who find themselves in precarious situations by mistake.