Canada Deports U.S. Deserter
An American soldier who fled to Canada to avoid being sent to Iraq has been deported to the U.S. where he will face charges of desertion. He had been in Canada three years and was placed in custody after being denied refugee status there. An estimated 200 members of the U.S. military are currently in Canada, but this is the first instance of deportation.
Anti-war demonstrations were held at the Vancouver-Seattle international border crossing and in front of Canada’s Federal Court in Toronto yesterday to condemn the Canadian government’s decision. An estimated 200 American army deserters have sought refugee status in Canada. Nine are facing immediate deportation orders this summer.
Canada has strict immigration requirements. Refugees are admitted, but must also meet certain requirements.