Canada agrees not to deport Toronto ICU nurse in the middle of the coronavirus crisis
A Toronto intensive-care unit nurse who had her work permit extension refused due to a couple of minor errors has been spared removal from Canada and can return to her front line duties in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Christine Joyce Vega, 27, was to be removed this month after losing her legal status, due to a missing $100 payment and a document in her application to extend her work permit while her permanent residence application is underway.
This week, after her story appeared in the Star, she was informed by Canada Border Services Agency that her removal has been cancelled and that a new work permit had been issued.
"I feel relieved, blessed and happy," said Vega, who came here as an international student at Conestoga College in 2015, earned her registered nurse licence and has two years of RN experience at Markham Stouffville and Mackenzie Richmond Hill hospitals.
"My plan moving forward is to go back to my oath of duty as soon as possible to help the patients and serve the country."
Vega started her immigration application last April and scored 1,038 out of a maximum 1,200 points based on her bachelor's degree in nursing from the Philippines, Canadian education credentials and work experience, as well as her nomination by the Ontario government.
However, she needed to extend her work permit while her immigration application was finalized. When the extension was denied, she took bad advice from a friend and made a dash to the Canadian visa post at Lansdowne, near Kingston, to get a new work permit.
Once out of the country, she had no legal status to return. Although she was admitted back into Canada again, she was told she would be deported. Facing imminent removal, Vega sought legal help to restore her status.
"This is a result that serves the health of Canadians. Technical errors shouldn't frustrate the broader purposes of Canada's immigration laws," said Vega's lawyer, Luke McRae. "Making the online immigration application process more user-friendly and providing an opportunity to correct technical errors would go a long way to ensuring people like Ms. Vega don't end up in this predicament."
Since Vega was out of status in Canada, the processing of her permanent residence application had also been suspended. With her work permit restored and valid until next April, McRae said, his client's immigration application will resume.
Vega said as soon as she got the news from immigration and border officials this week, she reached out to her hospital managers and supporters, as well as her parents back home, who have pinned the family's future on their daughter.
"I spread the good news to my relatives, co-workers and friends who sent me good luck and prayers when they saw the Star's article," said Vega, who made her favourite banana bread and topped it with vanilla ice cream to celebrate the news.
"I am excited to go back to work."
Nicholas Keung is a Toronto-based reporter covering immigration. Follow him on Twitter: @nkeung