At Bellissimo Immigration Law Group PC, we are privileged to work on behalf of many wonderful people, companies and associations. We represent immigration applicants from far outside Canada, from the time they step foot into the country’s airport waiting rooms all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Our immigration clients often tell us after their case is concluded that it would have helped to know of similar stories that are real and not just what you hear on the street. So every month, we post a few stories to celebrate our immigration success stories and offer some comfort to those who will soon embark on a similar journey…
A young mother who had been issued a removal order after being found criminally inadmissible to Canada was successful before the Immigration Appeal Division. Although the client only retained our office’s assistance a week before her hearing, we were able to quickly gather evidence and conduct preparation sessions in advance of the hearing.
Her children and extended family may now rest easy, knowing that she is no longer under a removal order.
With a pending humanitarian and compassionate application already filed and a lawsuit in progress, an Enforcement Officer refused to defer our client’s removal from Canada. On an emergency basis, our team pulled together an urgent motion to Federal Court requesting that her removal be stayed. We were successful in our arguments, and she will now have more time in Canada to gather evidence in support of her lawsuit and to make her bid for permanent residence.
he Federal Court agreed with our assessment that the Refugee Protection Division incorrectly assessed a Tamil woman’s fear of return to Sri Lanka. Our client, who had withdrawn her claim for asylum in the USA, was deemed not to truly fear return; this decision was made while ignoring our client’s desire to be reunited with her family in Canada.
She will now have the opportunity to present her claim for refugee protection again, and while awaiting her new hearing she is able to remain with her family in Canada
A young man came to our office with his removal order appeal scheduled for only days later. Charged with several crimes, stemming from his involvement with a gang, our office worked over time to interview and prepare our client, his family members and his employer for the hearing. Having removal stayed, where it is based on multiple criminal charges and alleged gang involvement, is not a simple matter. At the close of the first hearing, the Board was still not convinced that our client had taken steps to turn his life around and be a good and supportive father to his children. Our office engaged in post-hearing negotiations, involving the use of DNA evidence, and were able to establish that our client would not pose future risk to Canadians and deserved this second chance.
He now lives with his partner and their children, with whom he has taken an active parental role. Without a stay of removal, it is likely that he would have had very little contact with his children in the future, and this family would have forever been ripped apart.