A Father’s Desperate Plea Reaches Parliament Hill
An Afghan refugee in Canada is making a heart-wrenching appeal to save his two children from deportation in Pakistan. Mohammad, a former university professor, spent 23 days outside Parliament Hill under pouring rain, hoping lawmakers would listen.
His story reflects the growing struggles of Afghan refugees torn apart by Canada’s immigration rules. As he fights to reunite his family, fear and frustration weigh heavily on him.
Family Divided by Immigration Barriers
Mohammad fled Afghanistan with his wife and five younger children after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Canada granted them visas in December 2023, offering a safe new beginning in Surrey, B.C.
However, his two eldest children — a 25-year-old daughter studying dentistry and a 23-year-old son in computer science — were left behind in Islamabad, Pakistan. Their applications to join the family were rejected because they exceeded the age limit set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Despite countless appeals, the answer remained the same.
Life in Limbo Amid Rising Deportations
Pakistan’s crackdown on undocumented Afghans has intensified. The government has begun deporting thousands under its Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan.
According to Amnesty International, more than one million Afghan refugees have already been forced to return. Many face persecution under Taliban rule. Mohammad fears his children could be next.
“I fear for their lives every day,” he said. “They are not safe in Pakistan, and going back to Afghanistan would be even worse.”
A Protest Fueled by Hope and Desperation
Determined to save his children, Mohammad traveled from Surrey to Ottawa, camping outside Parliament’s West Block. He sat quietly near the stairs, holding a laminated sign describing his children’s plight.
Most MPs walked by without stopping. But one day, former immigration minister Marc Miller noticed him and asked for details.
“I feel for him on a personal level,” Miller said. “We’re looking into his case, but there’s no quick fix.”
Mohammad called the encounter “a moment of compassion” in an otherwise lonely struggle.
Mounting Challenges and Fading Options
The situation in Pakistan is worsening. The government has stopped renewing Afghan visas, and Mohammad can no longer send money to his children due to banking restrictions.
Last year, he managed to place them on a sponsorship waiting list through the Vancouver Unitarians. Yet that list is long, and the process could take years.
Canada’s private refugee sponsorship program has already exceeded its 23,000-person limit for 2024. IRCC has paused new applications from community sponsors until the end of 2025.
Political Voices Call for Urgent Reform
NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan said Mohammad’s case mirrors the struggles of many Afghan families separated by age rules and bureaucracy.
“The government must act urgently,” she said. “Flexibility is needed, especially for single young women and vulnerable dependents left behind.”
Her call adds pressure on Ottawa to address the gaps in its humanitarian program — and to uphold promises made to help Afghans at risk.
A Family Torn, But Not Broken
Back in Surrey, Mohammad’s wife and youngest son have fallen into depression. The separation, he said, has “broken their spirits.” Yet he refuses to give up hope.
“One rainy day, I thought of leaving,” he recalled. “But I told myself — if I go now, I may lose the only chance to save them.”
Despite the heartbreak, he says he found kindness in strangers who offered food, shelter, and comfort. “I’ll never forget the compassion I saw in Canada,” he said softly.
The Uncertain Road Ahead
Mohammad’s journey home to B.C. ended not in triumph, but in quiet endurance. The wait continues, and the stakes remain painfully high.
For now, his message is simple — he just wants his children safe.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for more updates on Afghan refugee stories and Canada’s immigration challenges. Next news coming up.
