Hamilton, Ont. chef facing deportation gets extension to stay in Canada, says attorney

Since arriving eight years ago from Kenya, John Mulwa has struggled with keeping his protected person refugee status in Canada to remain in Hamilton, Ont.

A Hamilton-based chef who says he’s been repeatedly denied protected refugee status in Canada will not be deported this weekend as per an order from the federal government.

Attorney Joshua Makori told 900 CHML’s the Scott Radley show that his client John Mulwa has been allowed to stay in Canada for another 18 months on a temporary residence permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

“We did submit an application for him to become a permanent resident under the what you call the humanitarian and compassionate application process … the minister may have given him this extension so that the application will be submitted to be completed,” explained Makori.

The decision means Mulwa will be able to continue to reside and work in Canada until his application is completed.

Makori says Mulwa’s issues surround substantiating claims he’s running from violence.

“Which is a challenge because if you are running away, for example like John who is running away from Kenya, it would be a challenge for to be able to get evidence from that country,” he said.

Mulwa’s deportation plight began early in January when he was sought by Canada Border Services (CBSA) for an interview in which he would subsequently be told he needed to leave the country on Jan. 28 due to being a failed claimant.

He came to Canada through Vancouver from Kenya in 2014 and was initially granted protected person refugee status over a claim his life was in danger.