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A Departure Order is different from a Deportation Order
DEAR EDITOR,
It has been brought to my attention that the Immigration Officers (Police) at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and police officers at the CID Georgetown Headquarters, are constantly harassing persons who are being sent back to Guyana from Canada by Departure Orders issued by Immigration Canada.
The police and Immigration Department of Guyana should be aware that a Departure Order is different from a Deportation Order.
People who are issued Departure Orders because of a failed refugee claim or overstaying their time in Canada are given 30 days to leave Canada from the date of the Departure Order.
Failure to leave within the 30-day time period, would make the Departure Order automatically a Deportation Order.
So persons who leave Canada voluntarily on the basis of a Departure Order within the 30-day period and pay their own airfare to Guyana cannot be classified as deportees, according to Canadian Immigration Laws.
However, the Immigration Department of Guyana and the Guyana Police are treating these persons who leave Canada voluntarily on a Departure Order as deportees – have them in custody for nearly two days and more, and treat these Guyanese citizens as criminals.
They are fingerprinted and their passports are seized. They also go through all types of humiliation and abuses by policemen at the CID headquarters.
It is not fair for people who departed Canada on the basis of a Departure Order to be treated as deportees.
There is a big difference between a Departure Order and a Deportation Order and the Guyana Police, which the Immigration Department falls under,should know the difference and treat these returnees appropriately.
I am going to take up this matter with the Immigration Minister, Mr. Jason Kenney in Canada and the Canadian Government.
Police officers should be aware that the wrongful imprisonment or torture of citizens can bar them and their family members from entering Canada or the USA if the allegations can be proven.
Canada, the USA and the UK give great importance to civil and human rights.
Balwant Persaud
Canadian Immigration Counsel
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