Canada Deports Mexican Teen; Rejected Claims He Would Face Persecution Because His Older Sister Is Gay; She Also Has Been Returned To Mexico City

The Globe and Mail is reporting that Canadian officials have deported an 18 year old Toronto student to Mexico, although the report adds that federal authorities will not tell Daniel Garcia’s attorneys whether the teen has actually been removed from the country. Garcia was due to be deported Saturday, after a federal court rejected his application to grant a temporary stay. His two attorneys will pressure Conservative Immigration Minister Jason Kenny to allow the teen to return, but one of the lawyers, Mr. Sandaluk, said “The difference between staying in Canada and getting into Canada is like night and day. It couldn’t be more different. I think frankly, it would be very difficult, it would be an uphill battle to bring him back.” An immigrants’ rights advocacy group called No One Is Illegal reported on its Web site that Garcia “unwillingly” boarded a plane to Mexico City. Friday, at an emergency hearing, Justice Daniele Tremblay-Lamer said that Garcia’s behaviour demonstrated “complete disregard for Canada’s immigration laws,” a reference to his failure to appear for removal in April, disobeying conditions of his release when he moved, and a failure to report a change of address in October. He came to Canada three years ago with his older sister, 30 year old Brenda, who is gay, and who was deported last Monday, after a judge rejected her claims of persecution. Supporters of the two say they have faced violence in Mexico because of Brenda Garcia’s sexual orientation, and that the two will likely face more violence upon their return.