[van-announce] Rally in Support of Iraj Ghahramani, Iranian Elder Facing Deportation: This SATURDAY, MAY 26 at 2:00 PM

[Stephanie Smith]

*PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY TO ALL LISTS AND CONTACTS*
(apologies for repeat posts)

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: