A British Columbia couple plans to move to Pakistan if deportation occurs, citing immigration issues as the cause of their predicament
Vancouver: So, there’s this couple, Zain Haq and Sophia Papp, who are in a bit of a pickle. Zain, a climate activist from Pakistan, might get deported this Saturday. If that happens, they’re planning to move to Pakistan together. They think the whole situation is a mess, thanks to some immigration paperwork issues.
Zain came to Canada as a student and even helped start a group called Save Old Growth. He got a temporary permit last April, which paused his deportation while they sorted out his permanent residency application. But then, Sophia says the immigration folks lost that application, and suddenly, the deportation order was back on.
At a news conference, Sophia expressed her frustration. She said the immigration officials didn’t give them a clear reason for the refusal of Zain’s spousal sponsorship. She feels it’s unfair, especially since Zain could be the first non-violent climate activist kicked out of Canada.
With deportation looming, Sophia said they don’t have enough time to fight back. She believes she should have the right to live with her husband, who’s dedicated to non-violent climate activism. They’ve been married for two years and would rather stay in Canada, but if they have to, they’ll head to Pakistan.
Sophia shared how tough it is to be in this situation, feeling like she might lose either her home in Canada or her partner. It’s a real emotional rollercoaster for them right now.
This story was first reported by The Canadian Press on January 24, 2025.
