In Toronto, a 30-year-old Afghan woman, referred to as “Asal,” is attempting to reconnect with her two younger siblings and father who are detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) just across the border. The family has been held for several months and faces unclear legal challenges that prevent them from reuniting in Canada, where they are eligible for asylum due to Asal’s status as a refugee.
Despite their eligibility, the family is caught in a bureaucratic impasse—U.S. officials have stated they can only be released if they enter Canada by air, which is not an option without a visa. Their visa application is currently under review, prolonging their detention. Asal has hired lawyers in both Canada and the U.S. to advocate for their release and has even proposed covering costs for ICE agents to escort them to the Canadian border without success.
The predicament of Asal’s family sheds light on the complexities faced by many asylum seekers under changing U.S. immigration policies. Legal experts express concern about the implications for family reunification, highlighting whether Canada should expedite the entry of individuals in ICE detention with familial ties in the country.
For over eight months, Asal’s American attorney has worked to prevent the deportation of her family, while Canadian lawyers push for expedited visa approval. The family previously fled Afghanistan due to escalating violence after the Taliban’s return to power. Asal’s two siblings and father managed to cross the border, but their detention and the refusal of U.S. authorities to release them complicate matters.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that ICE is prepared to return those requesting voluntary departure to their country of origin and reaffirms that they will not facilitate transfers between Canada and the U.S. Legal representatives argue that allowing Asal’s family to enter Canada could be justified under existing agreements aimed at family reunification.
Asal continues to anxiously await a resolution, expressing concern for her family’s safety and well-being.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c206vj3826lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss