How Kenyan Mum Got Last-Minute Reprieve from Deportation in Canada

Halima Abdi, a 33-year-old mother of three from Kenya narrowly escaped deportation from Canada at the eleventh hour.

According to a recent report by CBC, authorities in Canada called off Halima's planned deportation that was due to take place on November 14, just before it was scheduled to happen. For the last 15 months, Halima has been waging a highly protracted legal battle, fighting for the right to continue living in Canada. However, Things took a turn for the worse when the immigration officials issued a warrant for the woman's arrest. Having fled Kenya in 2016 over the fear of extrajudicial killings, Halima carried a deep-seated worry within her. Her brother reportedly fell victim to operatives of the state and she couldn't shake off the apprehension of meeting the same fate as him.

Having found refuge in Canada for a while, immigration officials in the country concluded that her immediate safety was not at risk, resulting in her refugee application being rejected. This decision led to a warrant being issued for her arrest, causing Halima to go into hiding. However, in October 2022, the Edmonton authorities were finally able to apprehend her. Following a brief period of detention, Halima was given a one-way ticket back to Kenya for deportation. Accepting her unavoidable destiny, Halima came to terms with the fact that she would be returning to her native land.

But on that fateful day, she did not board the flight. The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) later confirmed the cancellation in a statement, after granting her a temporary resident permit and a work permit. With this permit, she can now stay in the country for two years while her existing application is being processed. This news comes as a huge relief for her family, who have endured immense hardship throughout the period when Canadian authorities were seeking to deport her.

Her three sons, aged two, four, and five, are still grappling with the emotional impact of the threats. In an interview, Halima shares that even stepping out of the room can trigger distress in her eldest son.