Two Nigerian International students continue to claim sanctuary in a Regina church.
They’re hiding from a deportation order because they worked without a permit for two weeks last year.The two girls, Victoria Ordu and Ihuoma Amadi say they misunderstood the conditions of their SIN number and thought they could legally work.
When Ordu realized she was in violation of Canadian law she quit immediately.
“I was like, ok so this is not proper,” she said.
After exhausting all of their appeal options they’re using their last resort, hiding in a church and claiming sanctuary while writing to the Public Safety and Immigration Ministers pleading for forgiveness.
Their University of Regina scholarships through the Nigerian Government felt like a miracle when they were granted three years ago. If they go home without a degree, they loose everything.
“I come from a very little family, a poor family,” said Amadi. “It’s going to be hard for us to start all over again.”
Their Immigration Consultant, Kay Adebogun, says Minister Toews has the authority to stay their removal order, while Minister Kenney has the authority to issue them another temporary residence permit. But those acts of forgiveness are granted on a case by case basis.
“The ministers will have to examine the situation and this we think is a situation that fits a special set of circumstances,” said Adebogun.
But Canadian Immigration Services Media Spokesperson, Lisa White, says this might not be one of those cases. The girls broke the law, and failing to learn the rules is no excuse for committing a crime.
“Every foreign national is briefed on the rules,” said White.
Exceptions have been made in the past, but never under Vic Toews.
The University of Regina is advocating for forgiveness on their behalf.
“The situation they’ve gone through we feel has probably driven the point home that there is another way to work in Canada and other processes to follow, and we need everybody to be following them,” said Barbara Pollock, U of R VP External Relations. “So we’re simply asking for reconsideration because we think it’s a little harsh.”
Amadi and Ordu’s latest pleas are in the mail.
They’re not asking to stay forever, just long enough to give them and their families a fighting chance.
“It’s going to mean a lot to them,” said Amadi of her family. “It’s going to be elevating and help them from the situation back home.”
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.
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