A Filipino-born mother is facing some tough decisions now that the Immigration Department decided not to allow her to bring her daughter to Canada.
Karen Talosig came to Canada seven years ago in search of a better life and to support her daughter back in the Philippines.
She has been trying for five years to bring daughter Jazmine to B.C., but Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) notified her last week that the teenager is considered “medically inadmissible” because she is deaf.
“I think it needs serious reconsideration,” said Helene Whitfield, Karen’s friend and former employer. “I think the visa officer made a mistake. I’m not sure, because no one is telling us what the decision was based upon.”
Jazmine has attended a school for the deaf in the Philippine capital of Manila since she was five years old. She is now 14 and lives with her grandparents since her father passed away.
Her mother says Jazmine is a bright, happy, energetic girl and she has been accepted at a Burnaby school for the deaf at no extra cost to the taxpayer.
“I can give 100 per cent assurance that she won’t be a burden,” said Karen. “Firstly, I am working. I’ve got a full-time job. I work four jobs right now.”
“The assistant superintendent of the Burnaby School Board has already confirmed via letter to CIC that no additional funding is required for Jazmine,” said Whitfield.
Since Karen can prove her daughter will not be a burden on the taxpayer, she wonders if Jazmine is being discriminated against because she is deaf.
“How does a system work when you have checks and balances in place and yet they don’t apply?” asked Whitfield.
Karen has appealed to Immigration Minister Chris Alexander. As it stands, if Jazmine is refused, Karen will be forced to leave Canada in August.
Whitfield has set up a petition to ask Alexander to reverse his decision.
Deaf teenager denied immigration to Canada - BC | Globalnews.ca
Karen Talosig came to Canada seven years ago in search of a better life and to support her daughter back in the Philippines.
She has been trying for five years to bring daughter Jazmine to B.C., but Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) notified her last week that the teenager is considered “medically inadmissible” because she is deaf.
“I think it needs serious reconsideration,” said Helene Whitfield, Karen’s friend and former employer. “I think the visa officer made a mistake. I’m not sure, because no one is telling us what the decision was based upon.”
Jazmine has attended a school for the deaf in the Philippine capital of Manila since she was five years old. She is now 14 and lives with her grandparents since her father passed away.
Her mother says Jazmine is a bright, happy, energetic girl and she has been accepted at a Burnaby school for the deaf at no extra cost to the taxpayer.
“I can give 100 per cent assurance that she won’t be a burden,” said Karen. “Firstly, I am working. I’ve got a full-time job. I work four jobs right now.”
“The assistant superintendent of the Burnaby School Board has already confirmed via letter to CIC that no additional funding is required for Jazmine,” said Whitfield.
Since Karen can prove her daughter will not be a burden on the taxpayer, she wonders if Jazmine is being discriminated against because she is deaf.
“How does a system work when you have checks and balances in place and yet they don’t apply?” asked Whitfield.
Karen has appealed to Immigration Minister Chris Alexander. As it stands, if Jazmine is refused, Karen will be forced to leave Canada in August.
Whitfield has set up a petition to ask Alexander to reverse his decision.
Deaf teenager denied immigration to Canada - BC | Globalnews.ca
