Not a happy ending story...

Antonio came to Canada out of fear for his life. He was a gentle, soft spoken man, very anxious for the well-being of his family. He asked the Mennonite Coaliton for Refugee Support for help in making a refugee claim. We worked with him as he filled out forms and provided interpretation for various government interviews. He would often drop by to say hello and offer to help in any way that he was able.

The judge at Antonio's refugee hearing had a difficult decision to make based on very little evidence. He decided he would not approve Antonio's case. His reason: If Antonio's family were still in their home country, their lives must not be in danger.

But his family was in danger. Recently, strangers had been asking the neighbours about them. There seemed to be a car watching the house most of the time. Antonio thought that perhaps if his family could join him and bring more evidence, the decision could be reversed.

Antonio's family scraped together what savings they had and flew to Toronto, arriving tired and frightened. They had heard that sometimes refugee claimants were turned back at the airport so they told officials that they were planning to visit relatives in Canada. Officials at the airport refused to let them into Canada.

Antonio received a call from his wife and rushed to the airport to help. He told officials that he was the husband of the woman they were holding and had come to pick her up. However, she had originally stated that her husband had stayed at home. She had learned never to trust police or officials; in her country such distrust keeps you alive. The officials saw an immigrant who was lying. They confined her and the children for 18 hours and then returned them to their country of origin.

Later, Antonio came to our office and talked with me. He looked pale and had not been sleeping. He told me he would rather be with his family, facing the danger together, than here in Canada, safe in body but despairing and lost in spirit.

That was the last time I saw Antonio. I went to his home and his roommate explained that Antonio had left for the airport, leaving everything behind except for one suitcase.

As I cycled by his home on my way to work the following week, I watched the remains of Antonio's Canadian life accumulate on the curb. I reflected on the situation. Each individual and agency had followed official procedures. Antonio and his family had tried to find safety using the information and experience that life had given them. But despite our best efforts, we failed to provide a safe sanctuary for Antonio and his family. In spite of, perhaps even because of, disappointing experiences like this, my prayer is that we remain strong in our conviction to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8).