Jose Figueroa can leave B.C. church sanctuary, as Canada lifts deportation order
Jose Figueroa is finally free to leave the B.C. church where he has been living for two years. Earlier this week, Canada withdrew a deportation order against him. He will be granted permanent residency in Canada.
"It is a mixture of emotions. We are happy. But, there is uncertainty at the same time because I haven't been out for so long. I don't know what changes there have been in my house," Figueroa tells As it Happens guest host Helen Mann.
In 1997, Figueroa and his wife applied for refugee status in Canada, after fleeing El Salvador. But in 2010, immigration officials ordered his deportation — mainly due to his connection with El Salvador's left wing Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front, or FMLN.
Fearing deportation, Figueroa sought sanctuary in a church in Langley, B.C.
More than two years later, on Dec. 23 (which happens to be his birthday), he will leave the church.