Canada won’t let the Afghan refugee come from the United States, and his family fears the Taliban might kill him and go home
Shafiqa Jalali has a hard time talking about her son Mohammad Younesi without crying.
Jalali, her husband, four adult children and daughters, found asylum in Canada after escaping the Taliban rule in Afghanistan in 2024.
The family obtained a humanitarian visa from Brazil and paid thousands of dollars to human smugglers to guide land through Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and 10 countries in Darién Gap, a 100km jungle extension that connects North and South America. One of the most dangerous migration paths in the world.
“We know we could die,” Jalali, 57, told CBC News through a translation of Farsi. “But we still hope to do that.”
Although they did not travel as family units, everyone arrived safely in Canada and were granted refugee protection – except for Mohammad, Jalali’s youngest son. The 27-year-old was arrested by an ICE agent in Arizona and was arrested for nearly a year at an immigration detention facility in Livingston, Texas, in an immigration detention facility in north Houston.
Jalarli said she was worried that our officials would send Uniones back to Afghanistan, where he had previously been tortured in the Taliban because of his human rights work.
“I hope the Canadian government can help my son so he can come here to unite with us so that we can live a normal life,” Jalali said.
“He was not doing well.”
“My life is in danger in Afghanistan”
Under the Canada-U.S. security third-country agreement, people must demand asylum in any country they first obtain, meaning they cannot leave the United States and seek refugee status in Canada – despite Some exceptions include Canadian citizens or permanent resident family membersjust like Eussie.
A U.S. judge has allowed Younis to go to the Canadian border to seek asylum. However, his attorney applied for a temporary resident permit from Canadian immigration, refugee and citizenship to allow it to be denied in June.
“He is currently facing evacuation from Afghanistan,” said Erin Simpson of the company Landings LLP.
The Immigration Department of Canada, Refugees and Citizenship Department, wrote in an email statement to CBC News that it was unable to comment on Younesi’s case due to privacy legislation.
To say that this is a matter of life and death is definitely not an exaggeration.– Erin Simpson, attorney for Mohammad Younesi
“It’s definitely not an exaggeration to say that this is a matter of life and death,” Simpson said. “This has always been ours.” [immigration] The Minister and our request to issue this permit. ”
According to a signed affidavit filed with U.S. officials, Unis was kidnapped, beaten and forced to work on the field in December 2023 as he collaborated with NGOs to assist vulnerable women and girls.
“My life is at risk in Afghanistan and returning will mean facing violence and persecution from the Taliban again,” sworn in.
Long journey
Taliban regained control of the country in 2021 Withdrawal of US troops and other allies. this United Nations The report said the results of women’s rights deteriorated sharply, “directs on rights, autonomy and very existing oppression against Afghan women and girls”.
Younesi left Afghanistan in July 2024 with his brother and pregnant sister son. The three went to Iran, where they obtained a humanitarian visa to go to Brazil. Together they traveled through a arduous journey across South and Central America, but separated in Mexico.
Although the couple was briefly detained by California immigration officials, they were allowed to continue their trip to Canada, unlike Unisey, who was arrested and detained by U.S. authorities.
Shortly thereafter, Jalali, her husband and three adult children also made the same journey. They were also arrested by ICE officials but were eventually released and directed to attend a U.S. Immigration Court hearing. Afterwards, they continued to seek asylum in Canada.
“Any final person [in detention] Will be very scared. It was terrible for us, and even more terrible for Mohammed because he stayed there for longer.
“He said he didn’t know what would happen to him and his life.”
“It’s hard for families to really move forward”
Jalali and her family are housed by Romero House, the center of Toronto refugee settlements. Francesca Allodi-Ross, the organization’s executive director, said the family had a hard time celebrating the fact that they were accepted as refugees by Younesi’s future.
“For families, it’s hard to really hang on them,” Allodi-Ross said.
“We know what’s going on in the United States, and it’s very unpredictable. People are being deported to countries that don’t even have their own, like El Salvador, Mexico or Sudan. So every day that passes every day is risky and he’s being sent to unsafe places.”
Jalali can’t stand the tears, she says her imprisoned son in the United States has a hard time falling asleep, eating or going out
“I’ve been there and when I think of Mohammed it hurts my heart.”
Allodi-Ross said Younesi was a man and no one could protect him. But that may change.
“I think there is a lot of discussion now about the meaning of being Canadian,” she said.
“Being a welcome place for refugees, immigrants, and those who want to build a better life is an important part of who we are. Therefore, I call on the Canadian government to live up to this reputation and take this simple, humane act to grant Mohammed’s temporary resident permits and help him reunite with his family and be safe.”
