It is sometimes said that “the law is an ass,” but perhaps it would be better to say the way in which the law is interpreted and applied is the real ass, on occasion.
There is no other explanation for the federal government’s dogged determination to kick Jose Figueroa out of the country. The Langley resident has broken no laws, did not sneak into the country, has contributed and paid taxes in Canada, has three Canadian children and a wife who is allowed to stay here, and has done nothing other than, in his teens, support a rebel group in El Salvador which is now the government of that nation.
Yet because of the way Canada’s anti-terrorism laws are written, he is being ordered deported. He has taken refuge in a Walnut Grove church and those church doors are all that protect him from expulsion.
His neighbours, friends, associates and people all across the country have rallied to his defence. Langley MP Mark Warawa has, on numerous occasions, gone to bat for him against the Ottawa forces that are determined to give him the boot.
Warawa made a very interesting point about the law which Figueroa is being targeted by. He said that, if it were applied to Nelson Mandela, he too would not be eligible to remain in Canada.
Keep in mind that Nelson Mandela is one of only five people to have been given honourary Canadian citizenship. This was done by unanimous vote in the House of Commons in 2001.
The federal government needs to listen to representations of citizens and our MP, and let Jose Figueroa stay.