Update: Ivonne Hernandez will not be deported imminently

SOLIDARITY WITH IVONNE HERNANDEZ!

-> Non-status survivor of conjugal violence has lost custody of her son, was arrested and detained in pre-planned ambush by border agents, and is facing deportation on 7 February. 

-> Read more below about what you can do, including writing letters to the Canadian Ministers of Immigration and Public Security, and the Quebec Minister of Immigration as well as writing organizational support letters and contributing to fundraising efforts.

MEDIA COMPILATION: www.solidarityacrossborders.org/en/media-compilation-ivonne-hernandez

Ivonne Hernandez is a survivor of conjugal violence who has been living without immigration status in Canada for a year and a half. She was arrested in a pre-planned public ambush involving border authorities at Berri-UQAM metro station last week on January 22, 2014. Ivonne was arrested while she was picking up her one-year old son from her ex-partner, who had denounced her to immigration.

Ivonne Hernandez was released from immigration detention on January 24 on a $4000 cash bond. She is required to report to immigration authorities regularly. On January 28, Le 28 janvier, the Canadian Border Services Agency decided that she would be deported on February 7th and refused to allow her to stay until March 6th, the date of a hearing to review the decision to grant custody of her child to his father. Should Ivonne be deported, she would be separated from her son, perhaps for life.

Every aspect of this case is disgusting and shocking. Ivonne should never have been detained. Ivonne should have permanent status in Canada. Ivonne should have protection from conjugal violence. And, most importantly, Ivonne, a loving and caring mother, should not be separated from her son.

BACKGROUND

Ivonne Hernandez came to Canada to seek asylum in 2009. In 2011, her refugee application was refused in 2011 and she ordered deported. Rather than return to the very real danger she faced in Mexico, Ivonne joined the estimated half a million people living without papers in Canada, among the most vulnerable and exploited members of our society.

On December 11, 2013, Ivonne fled her home with her son to take refuge in a shelter for women victims of conjugal violence. Her ex-partner promptly denounced her to authorities.

In a shocking and rushed ruling on January 10, 2014, a judge awarded custody of Ivonne’s son to the Canadian father solely because of Ivonne’s vulnerable immigration status. Ivonne and her son are allowed to see each other only eight hours a week.

Canada has made it very difficult for people in Ivonne’s situation to regularize their status. Although Mexico has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the world, and has an extremely high homicide rate, Canada has placed Mexico on a list of “safe countries”, countries that Canada claims can protect its citizens from violence.

A request to re-open Ivonne’s immigration file was made in November, because immigration officials failed to take all of the evidence into account, but there has not yet been a response. However, the Minister of Immigration has the discretionary power – and the obligation under international law – to intervene in the file and regularize Ivonne’s status.

On February 4th, the Federal Court will study Ivonne’s request for a stay of removal, so that she may be able to stay in the country until March 6th and attend the hearing that will determine whether she may regain custody of her child.

The mobilisation continues!

WHAT YOU CAN DO

i) Write Organizational Letters of Support

ii) E-mail/Phone the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Chris Alexander, the Canadian Minister of Public Safety, responsible for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Steven Blaney, and the Quebec Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities, Diane De Courcy

Demand that Minister Alexander immediately regularize Ivonne Hernandez’s status in Canada, which he has the power to do.

Demand that Minister Blaney cancel the removal order against Ivonne Hernandez, which he has the power to do.

Demand that Minister De Courcy directly intervene in this case to demand that Minister Alexander regularize Ivonne Hernandez’s status.

Fax: 613-996-1289

Toronto-area:
Telephone: 905-426-6808
Fax: 905-426-9564

iii) Make a financial contribution

There are several costs associated with providing support to Ivonne’s struggle for justice in Canada, mainly involving paying both immigration and family lawyers to effectively prevent Ivonne’s deportation, and ensure she regains custody of her child. We encourage you to donate, whether it’s $10, $20, $100 or more. You can contribute by cheque, paypal or in cash, and you can contribute by mail, online, or in person.

By cheque:
Please make your cheque out to “Solidarité sans frontières and write “Ivonne support” in the memo line. You can send your cheque by e-mail to the following address (or alternatively, visit the same address and leave the cheque in the mailslot):
Solidarité sans frontières / Justice pour Ivonne
1500 de Maisonneuve West, #204
Montréal, QC H3G 1N1

By paypal:
Visit: www.solidarityacrossborders.org/en/donate