Protesters call for halt to Haiti deportations

A Haitian asylum seeker who fled violence at home says he’s worried about being sent back, especially as the situation in his country deteriorates due to civil unrest.

Claude, who would not give his real name for fear of reprisal, said he came to Canada after criminals ransacked his home and threatened his wife and children.

“They charged me ransoms, came to my place and looted my home,” he said Saturday.

“Thanks to God they did not rape my wife and kids, my daughter.”

Now, the 44-year-old father said he’s scared to be sent back to Haiti, where he believes his possessions will be gone and he won’t be able to protect his family.

About two dozen protesters held a rally on Saturday in front of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Montreal office. Holding handmade signs, they chanted “No one is illegal!” during a two-hour demonstration.

Organizer Frantz Andre said they are asking Canada to reinstate a moratorium on deportations to Haiti that was previously in place between 2004 and 2014. He said federal officials shouldn’t be deporting people to Haiti at the same time they’re warning Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel to the Caribbean nation.

“If it is not a safe place for Canadians, why should it be a safe place for Haitians who have fled the country?” Andre said.

The Canadian government issued a travel advisory earlier this month, warning against all non-essential trips to Haiti, citing “high crime rates in various parts of the country and ongoing political and social tensions.”

Citizenship and Immigration Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.