A Nigerian family is fighting to stay in Canada after living there for seven years. The Makinde family, who have been based in Ottawa since 2018, are facing deportation. CBC News reports that Dapo Makinde is currently in jail, awaiting deportation alongside his wife Adepeju and their daughter, who was born in Nigeria. Dapo was detained on June 25, 2024, just two days before their scheduled deportation, and is now held at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.
Background of the Makinde Family
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The Makindes arrived in Canada in 2017, crossing from the U.S. into Quebec via Roxham Road, with their then one-year-old daughter. They relocated to Ottawa in 2018. Adepeju explains that they fled Nigeria due to family pressure to subject their daughter to a genital cutting procedure. They applied for refugee status upon arriving in Canada, but their application was rejected.
Application and Appeals
Despite being told they could relocate to another part of Nigeria, the Makindes’ subsequent appeals were also denied. They submitted a request to stay in Canada as permanent residents based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds in October 2021. However, they have yet to receive a formal response; Adepeju says they only learned verbally from officials that their application had been rejected.
Deportation and Detention
The family’s deportation was set for May, and they were expected to report for deportation on June 27. On June 25, while meeting with officials, Dapo was detained and Adepeju waited in the car. Officials noted that the family hadn’t prepared adequately for departure, including not securing passports for their youngest children or selling their house. “It’s been a very terrible situation,” Adepeju said. “I just hope they can at least please release him. He’s not a criminal.”
What to Do If You Face Deportation
- Seek Legal Assistance: Find a skilled immigration lawyer to guide you through the legal process, file necessary appeals, and represent you effectively.
- Contact Advocacy Groups: Reach out to local organizations that support immigrants and refugees for additional resources, guidance, and support.
- Organize Documentation: Ensure all your legal documents are in order and easily accessible, including passports, IDs, and correspondence with immigration authorities.
- Understand Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with your rights within the immigration system to navigate interactions with authorities effectively.
- Prepare a Strong Case: If applying for humanitarian or compassionate considerations, gather evidence like medical records and community ties to support your application.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with any changes in immigration policies and procedures that could impact your case by checking official sources and consulting with your lawyer.
- Maintain Communication: Stay in regular contact with your family and legal representatives to ensure everyone is aligned and responsive to any developments.
- Seek Emotional Support: Facing deportation is stressful; lean on friends, family, and mental health professionals for support during this challenging time.
- Explore Legal Options: Work with your lawyer to explore all available legal avenues, including appeals and stay orders.
- Engage with the Media: Publicizing your case can sometimes lead to increased support and pressure on authorities, but do this in consultation with your legal team.
- Plan for All Scenarios: Prepare for both staying and potential deportation by arranging housing, finances, and family well-being in your home country.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Participate in efforts to reform immigration policies to support fairer treatment for others in similar situations.
Lessons to Learn
- Legal Preparedness: Be thoroughly prepared legally when relocating to a new country, understanding immigration laws and having all necessary documentation in place.
- Understanding Refugee Status: Know the criteria for refugee status and explore all alternatives before leaving your home country.
- Emotional Resilience: Build emotional resilience and a strong support system to handle the stress of relocating under difficult circumstances.
- Role of Advocacy Groups: Engage with advocacy groups for crucial support and guidance through the immigration process.
- Humanitarian Considerations: When applying for residency on humanitarian grounds, ensure you understand the requirements and prepare a comprehensive case.
- Family Separation Impact: The emotional impact of family separation highlights the importance of keeping families together and exploring legal avenues to avoid such separations.
- Long-Term Planning: Plan for the long term by securing necessary documentation and understanding the immigration landscape to reduce disruptions.
- Advocating for Policy Changes: Advocate for fair immigration policies to improve treatment for immigrants and refugees and support broader systemic change.
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