[antiwar-van] URGENT! Support needed to stop deportation of Iraj Ghahramani

[Harsha]

* pls post widely *

Urgent Appeal to Support Iraj Ghahramani

* PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR SAMPLE LETTER *

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RALLY IN SUPPORT OF IRAJ GHAHRAMANI
SATURDAY MAY 26 2007 FROM 2-4 PM
CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION, 300 WEST GEORGIA
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This is an appeal for your support in the campaign to stop the imminent
deportation of Iraj Ghahramani, a 70 year old, much loved member of the
Iranian Community in the Greater Vancouver Area.  His deportation date is
scheduled for the end of May 2007.

Mr. Ghahramani is a famous comedic Iranian entertainer and has contributed
greatly to the diverse community in North Vancouver. As a helpful and
supportive elder and member of his community, he is deeply respected and
loved by many.

Mr. Ghahramani arrived in Canada on April 3, 1999 and filed a refugee
claim on the basis of the risk and persecution he faced in Iran. His
rejection was based mostly on minor inconsistencies in his account in his
application form versus his account during the hearing- speaking no
English and in a state of high stress and anxiety. Because the government
has failed to implement the appeal process required by the Immigration and
Refugee Protection Act (2002), Mr. Ghahramani’s fate has essentially
rested in the hands of one person. As with so many other refugees, Mr.
Ghahramani’s refusal is a reflection of the structurally flawed refugee
system.

In 2007, Mr. Ghahramani filed a humanitarian and compassionate claim on
the basis of his establishment within Canada, which included over 800
letters of support from community members. However this application was
recently refused; primarily on the grounds that he has been receiving
social assistance. As a senior, he is unable to pursue the difficult
low-wage jobs that many immigrants and refugees are forced to take upon
arrival to Canada. Furthermore, he has in fact worked intermittently over
the past 8 years. This assessment ignores the reality that Mr. Ghahramani
has contributed greatly through other means, that he has built a strong
network in Vancouver, and that his value as a human being and as a senior
cannot be simply quantified by his access to paid employment.

He has multiple family members here, firstly his wife with whom he is in a
committed and loving relationship and who is a Canadian citizen. Their
lives would be devastated, particularly as seniors who rely on each other
greatly for support, friendship, and care giving, if they were to be
separated by his deportation. Mr. Ghahramani’s sister and four-half
brothers and their respective families also reside in Vancouver. His
father, who was accepted in Canada as a refugee, also lived in Vancouver.
Mr. Ghahramani was the primary provider and care-giver to his ailing
father until he passed away in 2004.

Mr. Ghahramani’s physical health is fragile. His emotional health has been
deeply impacted by the loss of his father and the daily anxiety and stress
of a pending deportation and family separation.

We are seeking your support to assist Mr. Ghahramani, who faces increased
risk of unreasonable hardship if he is deported to Iran due to his age,
ill health, and lack of support in Iran. At his age Mr. Ghahramani already
struggles to live a dignified life. He requires the support of his wife,
brother, and sister for support, and since he has no family remaining in
Iran he would not be able to care for himself if deported.

We are seeking your support to pressure the government to allow Mr.
Ghahramani to stay in Canada with his wife and family. PLEASE TAKE ACTION
TODAY! WRITE A LETTER TO DIANE FINLEY.

In solidarity, No One is Illegal Vancouver.
For more information, email noii-van at resist.ca or call 778 885 0040

======> SAMPLE LETTER <========

Diane Finley
Fédéral Immigration Ministre
Ottawa Telephone: (613) 996-4974
Ottawa Fax: (613) 996-9749
Constituency Office Telephone: (519) 426-3400
Constituency Office Fax: (519) 426-0003
Email: minister at cic.gc.ca and Finley.D at parl.gc.ca


Dear Minister Finley,

Regarding: Iraj Ghahramani

I am writing to express my concern about the imminent deportation of Iraj
Ghahramani, a 70 year old, much loved member of the Iranian Community in
the Greater Vancouver Area. I am writing to ask that you use your
ministerial discretion to set aside his deportation order and grant him
Permanent Residency status.

Mr. Ghahramani has been living North Vancouver as a valuable member of the
community for approximately 8 years. He has been married to a Canadian
Citizen with whom he is in a committed and loving relationship. Their
lives would be devastated, particularly as seniors who rely on each other
greatly for support, friendship, and care giving, if they were to be
separated by his deportation.  Mr. Ghahramani’s sister and four-half
brothers and their respective families also reside in Vancouver.

He is also a famous comedic entertainer and has contributed greatly to the
rich and diverse culture of community in North Vancouver. As a helpful and
supportive elder and member of his community, he is deeply loved and
respected by many.

Mr. Ghahramani’s physical health is fragile. His emotional health has been
deeply impacted by the loss of his father and the daily anxiety and stress
of a pending deportation and family separation. Mr. Ghahramani faces
increased risk of unreasonable hardship if he is deported to Iran due to
his age, ill health and lack of support in Iran.

I am writing to you to express my support for Mr. Ghahramani and to urge
you to stop all removal orders against him and granting him residency
status in Canada immediately.

Regards,

Name:
Address: