A 22-year-old Montreal father is facing imminent deportation, highlighting growing concerns among immigration advocates about an increase in family separations as Canada ramps up removal targets.
Miguel, an apprentice carpenter and sole provider for his young family, is set to be deported to Mexico on May 5, leaving behind his partner and their seven-month-old child. His partner, Andrea, who fled domestic violence in Mexico and later faced abuse in Canada, says Miguel has been a critical source of financial and emotional support for the family.
The family is now seeking a delay through a pre-removal risk assessment — a last legal avenue to argue that Miguel could face threats to his life if returned. However, his deportation is scheduled before he becomes eligible for that process, raising concerns about fairness and due process.
Advocates say such cases are becoming increasingly common as Canada intensifies its immigration enforcement strategy. The federal government set a target of 20,000 deportations annually between 2025 and 2027, with removals surpassing 23,000 in 2025 — a significant increase compared to previous years.
In Quebec, deportations have surged sharply, accounting for nearly half of all removals nationwide last year. Immigration lawyers and refugee advocates argue that authorities are moving more aggressively, often without fully considering humanitarian factors such as the best interests of children or the impact of separating families.
Critics also point to broader policy changes, including recent immigration legislation that has placed thousands of asylum seekers in legal uncertainty, further complicating efforts to secure protection or delay deportation.
Legal experts warn that a shortage of immigration lawyers in Quebec is compounding the problem, leaving many families scrambling to access representation in time to appeal removal orders.
While the Canada Border Services Agency has the legal authority to carry out deportations, advocates argue it is increasingly exercising that power without sufficient discretion, particularly in sensitive cases involving children.
For Miguel, the stakes are deeply personal. “What surprised me most was being separated from my family,” he said, underscoring the emotional toll of a system critics say is prioritizing enforcement over compassion.
