Rodriguez Family of Montreal is Deported

The Rodriguez family of Montreal – Jaime, Arguelia and their three children, Fernando, 15, Brandon, 8, and Steffani, 5 -- were deported to the United States today (April 11, 2006).


A last-minute picket gathered at 7:30am in front of the downtown offices of the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) today. Thirty supporters and allies of Solidarity Across Borders demonstrated to stop the deportation of the Rodriguez family, or at least to allow a delay so that Fernando and Brandon could finish their school term. The simple demand of the Rodriguez family that their children be allowed to finish their school term was rejected. Even a last-minute cellphone call by Brandon’s teacher, directly from her classroom to the CBSA Director of Removals, failed to create a change of heart.