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Politics : Canadian Political Free-for-All -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: DeplorableIrredeemableRedneck who wrote (11007)	11/26/2006 9:41:44 PM
From: Orcastraiter	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 38144

I don't think that the US is interested. But where else could Quebec turn to after black brushing Canada?

To: DeplorableIrredeemableRedneck who wrote (11007)	11/27/2006 9:36:48 AM
From: DeplorableIrredeemableRedneck	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 38144

Bitter over 21 years of borrowed time Iranian refugee sues Ottawa over delay as deportation looms canada.com ANDREW MAYEDA, CanWest News Service Published: Monday, November 27, 2006 It's not the accusation that he once belonged to an Iranian terrorist organization that most torments Hassan Samimifar. It's the wait. Since coming to Canada as a refugee 21 years ago, Samimifar has waited for a verdict on his immigration status. Soon, he could be deported back to Iran for alleged links to the Mujahedin-e-Khalq, considered a terrorist organization by the Canadian government. Part of him will simply be glad for an end to the waiting. "When a person is convicted of a murder and he will be executed, the anticipation of death is sometimes harder than death itself," Samimifar, 47, said this week in an interview. "The best time of my life to establish a good life - it's gone. What makes me angry is that I can't get those years back." Samimifar is suing the federal government for $5 million in damages, lost income and expenses, alleging negligence by immigration authorities. Last month, a Federal Court judge denied the government's request for a summary judgment. - - - Samimifar was born in Tehran and served in the Iranian navy. After the Islamic revolution of 1979, he moved to India to study science. While in university, he attended lectures and demonstrations opposing the regime of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. During this time, the Canadian government alleges, he joined MEK, a Marxist group seeking to overthrow the Iranian government. Ottawa says MEK espouses the use of force to purge Western influence from Iranian society, and has forged links with Saddam Hussein and the Taliban. Samimifar admits to "sympathizing" with a student group linked to the MEK, but denies ever being an MEK member. In 1985, Samimifar arrived in Canada and claimed refugee status. The following year, he was convicted of causing a disturbance after an altercation with an immigration officer at a Toronto airport, as well as of breaching his bail conditions. The convictions hindered his efforts to apply for permanent residence. Even so, he alleges Canadian immigration officials neglected his file for years. In 1991, he was informed his application for permanent residence was rejected, and his case would proceed to an immigration hearing. His case was supposed to be transferred to a hearing office in Mississauga, Ont., but in 1994 officials admitted the file was never transferred. In 1994, he was approved in principle for permanent residence. But he would wait another nine years for a final decision. During that time, he contacted immigration officials many times and convinced MPs to inquire about his case. Still, no answer. By 2003, even immigration officials were arguing over the meaning of "normal" processing time. "Normal does not mean putting the file on the shelf without any action for long periods of time due to work volumes/backlogs," one official said in an email. Finally, in 2003, Samimifar was told his application was refused because he was a member of a terrorist organization. Samimifar insists he has had no contact with MEK since he came to Canada. An immigration hearing is scheduled for early next month, and he could be deported sometime next year. Samimifar said he doesn't believe he'd be in grave danger if returned to Iran, but still worries he could be targeted for being "labelled" an MEK member. "I wish I never came to Canada, because I've been through hell here," he said. "If I didn't have a family, I would have given up." Spokespeople for the Justice Department and Citizenship and Immigration Canada declined to comment, noting the case is still before the courts. Ottawa Citizen © The Gazette (Montreal) 2006