Canadian Labour Congress Writes Letter on Behalf of Jose Figureroa, former FMLN member facing deportation

Today, the campaign to save Jose Figueroa from deportation has gained additional momentum through the support of the Canadian Labour Congress.

The CLC encompasses represents over 3 million members and " brings together Canada's national and international unions, the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 130 district labour councils". 

The letter is addressed to Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, and Mr. Jason Kenny, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

Photo taken from Vancouver Sun, Les Bazso.

It urges to the two ministers to reconsider the decision to deport Jose by the Canada Border Security Agency on the grounds that the FMLN "... is or was engaged in terrorism and/or subversion". The CBSA's ruling was influenced by a poor understanding of El Salvadorian history, overlooking the fact that the FMLN has been actively involved in the electoral processes of this country ever since a peace agreement was signed between them and the ARENA government. In fact, the FMLN today holds the Presidential Office, and the inauguration ceremony was attended by Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Peter Kent.  It does not make sense then to continue to punish former FMLN members with no relationship to whatever atrocities were committed during the civil war when El Salvador itself has reconciled and the group in question has won significant representation through electoral politics widely recognized as both Free and Fair.

This is a very encouraging development in the campaign to save Jose and keep his  family together in Canada.

I encourage you to check out Jose's blog http://josefigueroaimmigrationordeal.blogspot.com/ for up to the date information about his deportation situation.