A Nigerian family residing in Windsor, Ontario, is urgently appealing to the Canadian government to allow them to remain in the country for their safety and to ensure ongoing medical treatment for their 16-year-old daughter, a cancer survivor.
Amirat Fayemi, the daughter, expressed her concerns, emphasizing the importance of her health and the need for continued medical care due to her current health condition. The family fears returning to Nigeria, citing serious safety risks, particularly for Amirat’s father, who is facing imminent danger.
Amirat, who successfully battled leukemia in 2022, is now undergoing treatment for a new blood-related issue, sparking worries about a potential cancer recurrence. Despite medical advice against air travel, a conflicting opinion from an immigration authority doctor has complicated their situation.
The family’s history includes a misdiagnosis in Nigeria, where Amirat’s illness was initially misunderstood, leading to a delayed cancer diagnosis while they were in the U.S. for a vacation. Subsequently, they sought refuge in Canada after Amirat’s treatment in the U.S., coinciding with a crisis involving her father in Nigeria.
Despite their asylum claim being rejected, the family is now seeking permanent residency in Canada on humanitarian grounds, with their last hope resting on an application before the IRCC. The CBSA has scheduled their removal, citing insufficient medical evidence to warrant a deferral based on Amirat’s condition, leading to a tense situation as the family fights against deportation.
Local Nigerian community leaders in Windsor are rallying behind the family, highlighting their positive contributions and urging authorities to consider the human aspect of the case. The family’s Member of Parliament has been contacted for assistance, with ongoing efforts to expedite the case amidst privacy concerns and legal processes.
As the family faces the looming threat of deportation, they are clinging to hope for a positive resolution, pleading for compassion and a chance to secure their daughter’s future in Canada.