Once again, the fabulous Care2 community has come through, and we need to stay on top of this one.

Lucene Charles now has a window of hope. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has deferred her deportation “until further notice.” In a letter faxed to Charles and to her supporters at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Hamilton, Ontario, the agency stated, “We will review Ms. Charles’ case and provide you with an update in the near future.”

Care2 members helped publicize Ms. Charles’s plight and rallied around to help. Once a Care2 petition to stop her deportation was posted, more than 5,000 of you showed your support. Other media outlets also picked up the link and shared it widely.

Charles’s plight is the result of difficult circumstances. Originally from Saint Vincent’s, she married a Canadian. Then the couple and their three Canadian-born boys moved to Gambia to be nearer her mother. The marriage was marred by poverty and abuse. During the years of struggle, she started the application for permanent residency in Canada but did not complete all the paperwork. Now she faces deportation unless her plea for compassion is heeded by immigration officials.

Lucene Charles has been contributing to Canadian society since her return to the country in 2007. Her three boys (14, 13 and 11 years old) are citizens. They are bright, active and engaged. To deport Charles and her four-year-old daughter, who was born in Africa, would leave her with an untenable decision. She could leave the boys with a guardian and be separated from them indefinitely or she could take them to a land where prospects for her and her children appear dim.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church expressed gratitude to Mr. Reg Williams, the immigration enforcement official who agreed to review her case, but cautioned,

“We are aware, however, that the final remedy for Lucene and her family must come from a successful Humanitarian and Compassionate Application, and that this family needs to stay together until this is heard. Therefore we continue to appeal to the Hon. Jason Kenney as the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, for a Temporary Residency Permit. This struggle is far from over and we continue to appeal to the public for support in this difficult time for the Charles Family.”

So the Care2 community can still rally around this family by signing the petition below. You can also call (613-992-2235) and send e-mails (jason.kenney@parl.gc.ca) to The Honourable Jason Kenney, Ministry of Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism. You can even Tweet him @kenneyjason.

Lucenne Charles and her children are the kind of people who make Canada the wonderfully multi-cultural society it is. With your support, they will continue being the kind of family you would enjoy having next door.

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