by matttbastard
Via Slap Upside the Head: The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada queer-eyes a gay refugee from Nicaragua, refusing to grant him asylum apparently because he’s not gay enough:
Alvaro Orozco, 21, says he was just 12 when he fled Nicaragua – a country where homosexuality is considered a crime punishable by up to four years in prison – because his father beat him for being gay.
[…]
After fleeing his homeland, Orozco hitchhiked his way to the U.S. and, after five years living as an illegal immigrant, eventually made it to Canada in January 2005.
He applied for asylum on the basis of his sexual orientation, but Deborah Lamont – the IRB member who heard his case in February – didn’t believe he was gay because he wasn’t sexually active during his teen years and his sexual orientation wasn’t clear when he left Nicaragua.
[…]
Orozco, who wasn’t at Thursday’s news conference, said in a statement that he fears for his safety if he returns to Nicaragua.
“I’m concerned about the risk I face if they send me back to Nicaragua, where I can face persecution by the government and the Catholic community, who judge gay life as sodomy,” he said.
“I feel fear for my life in Nicaragua.”
Time to brush up on your bath house etiquette and the Judy Garland songbook, Alvaro. Maybe then you’ll register on Lamont’s (very selective) gaydar.
Related: The Georgia Straight has more on Canada’s record of providing asylum to gay refugees fleeing persecution for their orientation, noting that although we’re not as bad as the Yanks, there is little hope once a claimant has been denied by the IRB:
Colleen French, a communications coordinator for the Canadian Council on Refugees, told the Straight from Montreal that Canada has a very good reputation abroad for accepting refugee claims made by gays and lesbians escaping persecution. “Particularly if we compare with other countries,” she noted.
“But the problem in Canada is that the decision-making is very uneven,” French added, “largely due to the fact the government has not put into place the IRB Refugee Appeal Division.”
Hughes explained that the appeal division should have been implemented in June 2002, when the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act came into effect. “But the government of the day said they needed a year to implement the provisions,” Hughes said. “Well, it’s been five years.” As things stand now, once an individual’s refugee claim is denied, there is little hope he or she will be able to remain in Canada.
What you can do to help, via Orozco’s homepage:
At this point, my lawyer is working on convincing the minister of citizenship and immigration to grant me a “stay”, which would mean allowing me to stay in the country and NOT be deported on February 13th.
The minister is very busy, and my voice and my lawyer’s efforts alone might not be loud enough for them to hear it in Ottawa. and that’s where your help can be most valuable.
What you need to do when you contact the Minister of Immigration or your MP is to ask them in their capacity to order (the minister) a stay of removal for Alvaro Orozco and to grant him the right to remain in Canada. or to use their influence (the MPs) with the minister to make that decision.
Contact the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley.
Important note: The Minister of Immigration, Diane Finely, has the final say on deportation matters. She has the authority to give me permission to stay in Canada.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Despite the deferral, supporters should keep contacting Minister Diane Finley’s office to keep the pressure and attention up. At this point, the CIC/IRB can reopen his case, grant my H&C (Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds stay), or accept my PRRA (preremoval risk assessment) (once we file the latter two). Now it’s up to her. PLEASE keep sending in your support. It’s only the beginning! I still has a removal date for mid August and no status yet.
NOTE: THE MINSTER’S OFFICES ARE NOT TAKING ANY PHONE CALLS. YOU NEED TO SEND AN EMAIL OR A FAXClick Here for a Sample Letter to Minister Finley – Word Doc.
Minister Diane Finley
Immigration Office: 613-954-1064Parliament Hill
Room 707, Confederation Bldg House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Ph:(613) 996-4974
Toll Free:None
Fx:(613) 996-9749
E-mail: Finley.D@parl.gc.caContact a Toronto MP
1. Hon. Bill Graham
I have been living in the constituency of MP Bill Graham, he has connections in Ottawa and what he says and thinks counts. Please contact him and ask him to help me. his contact info are:Click Here for a Sample Letter to the Honorable Bill Graham – Word Doc.
(call first) Constituency Office:
The Honourable Bill Graham, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
365 Bloor Street East, Suite 1805
Toronto, Ontario
M4W 3L4
Telephone: (416) 954-2222
Fax: (416) 954-9649
Email: grahab8@parl.gc.ca
Parliament Hill Office:
The Honourable Bill Graham, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Room 904, Justice Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-5234
Fax: (613) 996-9607
Email: grahab0@parl.gc.ca
2. Hon. Jim Flaherty
Constituency Offices
204-701 Rossland Road East (Main Office)
Whitby, Ontario L1N 8Y9
Telephone: (905) 665-8182
Fax: (905) 665-8124Hill Office
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-6344
Fax: (613) 992-8320
EMail: Flaherty.J@parl.gc.ca
Contacting other MPs from Toronto will also be very helpful. click here for a full list of the MPs and their contact info.