Our Recent Immigration Success Stories

This Week’s Success Story: A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

We were recently successful in securing two visas for two children to attend summer camp here in Canada – a once in a lifetime opportunity, that had been a dream of theirs for many years. Unfortunately for the children, they had been waiting since 2016 for this opportunity as their visas had been repeatedly refused because it was believed the children would not return.

The matters were challenged to the Federal Court of Canada, sent back for reconsideration but, amazingly, refused again.

After another successful Federal Court proceeding and finally on the second reconsideration the applications were approved just in time to attend the summer camp this year!  We are so happy for these children and delighted despite a challenging fight justice prevailed and children will not be denied an opportunity of a lifetime.

Case of Critical Deportation

We were approached by a client who received a deportation date coming up very soon and needed assistance in staying his deportation order. We had serious concerns in this case as if the client was removed from the country he would face a life-threatening medical condition. Despite the severe time restrictions and challenges involved, we desperately tried to procure a stay of removal for the client.

Mr. Bellissimo, was quoted as saying that he  had “grave concerns about the applicant being removed from Canada”. After we successfully obtained a stay of removal, Mr. Bellissimo stated that he was “very pleased that the Federal Court agreed that this deportation should be stopped pending the ultimate resolution of the underlying litigation.”

We are happy to have contributed to the relief of the applicant, his family and the greater community by preventing a potentially life-threatening deportation.

Case of Mistaken Charges

We attended an interview at the Greater Toronto Enforcement Centre (GTEC) for a client. The purpose of the interview was to determine whether the client shall be authorized to remain in Canada or a whether a removal order should be issued against the client. The client was presented with a report written under section 44(1), alleging that they were a person inadmissible to Canada due to criminality. The report contained some 17 charges for which the client was purportedly convicted.

In fact, the client in question was convicted of only one count, for which they received a conditional discharge.  We therefore submitted that the report appears to be incorrect and requested further investigation of the court documentation.  We also submitted that a conditional discharge does not constitute inadmissibility for immigration purposes.

After this interview, we were advised that the report in fact was written in error and the matter will be closed.  No further steps in respect to our client’s inadmissibility will be taken by the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) and our client is now eligible to proceed with our application for landing.

We are very pleased on our client’s behalf that this misunderstanding and misinformation has been cleared up!

Case of the Delayed Deportation

Mario Bellissimo reached an agreement with the Department of Justice under the guidance of the Federal Court to stop the deportation of a family until further investigation could be undertaken into the medical consequences of deportation.  The matter was adjourned for a month.  Mr. Bellissimo noted, ” that this is a fine example of both sides (the Applicant and the Department of Justice) with the direction of the Court working together to reach a fair resolution to ensure a person is not deported to potential harm”.  On behalf of the clients we will work diligently to ensure all investigations are efficient and exhaustive.  Deportation is traumatic and where it is possible to assist in a family avoiding this consequence it is a source of tremendous pride and a sense of accomplishment.