Dapo Makinde, a father of Canadian-born children, is currently detained in Ottawa as he, his wife, and one daughter face deportation to Nigeria after living in Ottawa for six years.
They arrived in Canada in 2017, seeking refuge from pressure in Nigeria concerning their daughter.
Despite their efforts, their refugee claim was rejected, leading them to apply for permanent residency on humanitarian grounds in October 2021.
They’ve been waiting nearly three years for a response, receiving verbal notice of another rejection while Dapo remains detained.
The African Canadian Association of Ottawa is advocating for the Makinde family, arguing that their removal would disrupt their deeply established ties to Canada.
Hector Addison, head of the association, criticized Dapo’s detention, calling it harsh for a family that has contributed to Canada’s economy and community since their arrival.
Efforts to deport the family were scheduled for May, and though Dapo was asked to remain just before their departure deadline on June 27, he was detained.
Their preparations to leave, including securing passports for their children and selling their home, were incomplete, leading to concerns over their readiness to depart.
Despite Ontario’s initial plan to end provincial jail detentions for immigration cases, the agreement was extended, allowing Dapo’s continued detention.
Addison is urging the immigration minister to intervene, emphasizing the Makinde family’s integration into Canadian life, including employment, home ownership, and community involvement.
IRCC cited an average 24-month wait for humanitarian applications, with varying timelines depending on case complexity.
Immigration lawyer Anne-Cécile Khouri-Raphael described the three-year wait as unusually long, causing distress for families like the Makindes stuck in uncertainty.
The family faces the possibility of separation, with their youngest children, born in Canada, exempt from deportation but facing uncertainty over their future.
Adepeju Makinde expressed anguish over potentially leaving her children behind or bringing them to a country they hardly know.
CBSA and IRCC declined to comment on specifics, citing privacy concerns. CBSA emphasized its obligation to enforce removal orders but stressed detention as a last resort, subject to rigorous procedural review.
This situation highlights the complex challenges faced by families navigating Canada’s immigration system, often resulting in prolonged uncertainty and difficult choices.
