As many of you know, the members of the Chaudhry family are thankfully still with us here in Canada. In August, all deportations to Pakistan were delayed due to the catastrophic flooding. The family is currently working with their lawyer in appealing the negative decision on the Humanitarian & Compassionate application in the federal court.
Though we are thankful that the Chaudhrys are still here with us, they are living in precarity, without status and unable to work. The family recently discovered that their apartment is infested with bed bugs and that they have to get rid of all of their furniture. Replacing all their furniture is likely to cost a few thousand dollars.
We are currently soliciting donations to help the family through this difficult time. If you are able to donate money or gently used furniture (no pets or smoking please: Fakhira has severe allergies), please contact Jane by calling (902) 494-6662 or through email at jane@nspirg.org to make arrangements. This situation is putting an enormous amount of personal and financial stress on the family, and they would very much appreciate any help you are able to offer.
About the Chaudhry Family:
The Chaudhrys are a family of five living in Halifax. Fakhira Chaudhry and Chaudhry Roouf Ahmad fled Pakistan almost 10 years ago from violence and death threats after their marriage was not approved by Fakhira's family. They came to Canada via the US in 2003, and have made a home for themselves in Halifax's vibrant Muslim community. However, their refugee claim was rejected in 2006, and the Chaudhrys have since been fighting legal battles to stay in the country. Since being in Canada, they have been actively trying to upgrade their skills and have gained support for their plan to open a Halal food restaurant. Their three children--U.S. born Rukhna Roouf, aged nine, Canadian born Noor-Ul-Imaan, aged three, and ten month old Muhammad Bilal Hussan--have never been to Pakistan and consider Halifax home. Well-respected members of the community, many hundreds of letters, emails, and phone calls have been made urging the Canadian government to give the Chaudhrys status.
They were scheduled to have been deported in August 2010, but their deportation has been indefinitely delayed due to the catastrophic flooding in Pakistan. They are continuing to pursue legal avenues to gain status in Canada, and are currently appealing a negative decision on their H&C application in the Federal Court.
More info:
chaudhrysolidarity.wordpress.com
About No One Is Illegal-Halifax:
noii-halifax.blogspot.com