After eight years in Canada, the Kumar family faces a deportation order on September 7th, back to India. This comes in a context of a drastic rise of nearly 200 deportations weekly in Quebec over the past year, according to Canada Borders Services Agency.
Harish Kumar, his wife Sonika, and their two children, Goulash, 14, and Japesh, 12, arrived in Canada in April 2018 and sought asylum shortly afterward. Their claim has since been refused, and the family now face deportation. The family is being supported by the Immigrant Workers Centre. As the family represents another case of unjust deportations despite the fact the family over the past eight years become pillars in their community. For their children Goulash and Jaspesh Montreal has been their only home and where most of their lives have been spent.
Their parents have also worked and contributed to their community. Harish worked as a truck driver from 2019 until very recently, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when transportation workers were needed to keep essential goods moving.
Sonika has also worked to help support the family, including as a general worker at Village des Valeurs.
The Kumar family are unable to return to India where Harish faced torture and abuse by the police and will face danger if deported. This is why the family fled India and came to Canada in April 2018 seeking protection.
This is why they are asking for the opportunity to remain together and for their children to continue growing up in the country they call home.
Media Contact:
The Kumar family is available for interviews immediately and would welcome the opportunity to speak with journalists about their experiences, their life in Canada, and the impact that removal would have on their family.
Mostafa Henaway-Immigrant Workers Centre: 514-659-0106
Gaurav Sharma-Immigrant Workers Centre-438-934-9999
