Community rallies to back Venezuelan family facing deportation

Hundreds of people in Kindersley are rallying for the federal government to allow a Venezuelan family facing deportation to continue living in the community.

Wilmer Gonzalez, his wife and two children have been given one month to leave Canada after his work visa expired and was denied renewal by Immigration and Citizenship Canada.

Gonzalez had been working maintenance for the Heartland Health Region at the hospital in Kindersley and parttime with the local Salvation Army for the past three years.

He tells CTV Saskatoon he took the appropriate steps and applied in March to extend his work permit with Canadian Immigration, but did not receive a response until late July.

Gonzalez said by that time, his permit had expired and a valid permit is required for renewal.

Gonzalez said he and his family are devastated.

“I support everything for my kids and my wife,” said Gonzalez.

“My wife can’t work and I’m working two jobs and I have to stop. You can’t imagine that position.

“It’s really hard.”

Gonzalez said he does not feel it is safe in Venezuela for his family — wife Vanessa, five-year-old daughter Oriana and seven-year-old son Javier.

The Gonzalez family is pleading their case to stay in Canada and so are community members in the town of Kindersley.

An online petition on change.org has more than 450 signatures.

Family friend Bruce Falk said Gonzalez is an integral part of the community who volunteers to help others by shovelling sidewalks and coaching his son’s soccer team.

“He epitomizes what a Canadian should be and he is,” Falk said. “He’s hard-working. He contributes to the community. His kids are so well-rooted here. It’s going to be a real shock when he has to go back.”

Immigration and Citizenship Canada has not responded to a request for comment.