Fathers urges Ottawa to re-evaluate deportation decision following dismissed refugee applications
In a tense situation, two immigrants, Jonas Kiese Umba and Christiaano Nguya, are fighting to stay in Canada after their refugee claims were rejected. The men, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola respectively, have lived in Canada for six years and a decade respectively.
Kiese Umba, a Congolese national, has a three-month-old daughter, while Nguya is the father of four children, two of whom were born in Canada. Nguya is the primary caregiver of his youngest child, who suffers from sickle cell anemia and receives treatment every two weeks at Montreal's Sainte-Justine Hospital.
Immigrations, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) declined to comment, citing privacy concerns. However, the situation has sparked concern within the Congolese community in Montreal, with Caribe Masita, a community leader, calling on Ottawa to show compassion. Masita stated that they are not asking to change the rules, but rather for the rules to be made with consideration of humanity.
The men are hoping for a last-minute intervention from federal officials to allow them to stay in Canada, at least temporarily. A deportation order for Christiaano Nguya was halted once before at the airport, as per Istvanffy. Kiese Umba fears returning to the DRC due to renewed conflict, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands.
The M23 rebel group captured the city of Goma in early 2025, adding to the instability in the region. We should not have a system of automatic deportation, according to Istvanffy. To stop the deportation orders for Jonas Kiese Umba and Christiaano Nguya, the Canadian government must initiate formal legal procedures such as filing a defense asylum application before the immigration court, which acts as a shield against deportation, demonstrating that their return would expose them to life-threatening risks in their home countries in Africa.
The situation is being closely followed by advocates from Montreal's Congolese community, who hope for a favourable outcome for both families. Separating fathers from their young children would cause lasting harm, especially to the Canadian-born children, according to the families. The future of Jonas Kiese Umba and Christiaano Nguya remains uncertain, but their cases serve as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by immigrants and refugees in Canada.
