After fleeing Taliban and abuse, Afghan woman in Canada for 8 years faces deportation with her children

Frozan Hassan Zai thought she had finally found safety and security after leaving an abusive marriage in the Netherlands with her two children. This was her second time fleeing a country, with her first escape being from Taliban-ruled Afghanistan when she was just 13 years old.

After arriving in Canada, Zai married a Canadian man, started a business, had a child, and even helped others to come to this country. However, her hopes for a stable life were shattered when she received news that she is facing deportation by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Zai’s husband had tried to sponsor her and her children twice through the common-law spousal program, but they were denied both times on the grounds that their marriage was deemed to be one of convenience. This means that they were accused of marrying solely for the purpose of obtaining citizenship or permanent status in Canada.

Despite her best efforts to establish a life in Canada, Zai now finds herself in a precarious situation. At a hearing scheduled for later today, she expects to receive a deportation order that could upend her entire life once again.

Zai’s journey has been one of hardship and resilience. Fleeing Afghanistan as a teenager, she faced violence and danger before eventually finding her way to the Netherlands. There, she endured an abusive marriage before making the difficult decision to leave with her children and seek refuge in Canada.

Her son, Shokran, describes their early days in Canada as challenging, with language barriers and financial struggles to overcome. Despite these obstacles, he has built a successful career as a finance manager and considers Canada to be his home.

Zai’s marriage to her current husband, Masood Meer, was born out of friendship and love. They have a young daughter together, Rose, and have built a life together in Canada. However, their marriage has been deemed a sham by IRCC, leading to the threat of deportation hanging over their heads.

Immigration lawyer Binod Rajgandha explains that the IRCC may reject a marriage as one of convenience if there is a lack of knowledge about each other’s lives or if the relationship appears rushed or insincere. In Zai’s case, she and her husband have been denied sponsorship twice, leading to the current deportation proceedings.

Zai’s final hope lies in an appeal on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, where she can make her case for why she and her children should be allowed to stay in Canada. She fears for their safety if they are deported to either the Netherlands or Afghanistan, where she has faced violence and persecution in the past.

Despite the uncertainty and fear that now looms over her family, Zai remains determined to fight for their right to stay in Canada. She has been an active member of her community, helping others to find refuge and support in this country. Now, she is in need of that same support as she navigates the complex and daunting process of immigration and deportation.