Surjit Bhandal, the 83-year-old woman who was set to be deported back to India, has won her case to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
“I was very happy to learn that Bhandal will be allowed to stay in Canada with her family,” said Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca MP Randall Garrison, who spearheaded the efforts to convince Citizenship and Immigration Canada to allow her to stay, in a press release.
“This represents not just a victory for the Bhandal family, but for all the many diverse families who make up Canada.”
Following some routine procedural steps, Bhandal will be granted permanent residence status.
Bhandal, who lived in Langford at the time, was informed Dec 7, 2012 she was to be deported. She has been described as frail and in need of help to get around. She had no family back in India to take care of her. Her nephew brought her to Canada five years ago on a visitor’s visa.
Garrison said the efforts of the community played a large part in the decision.
“(The) more than 5,000 community members who sent letters to the Minister (of Immigration) asking that Ms. Bhandal be allowed to stay in Canada were all crucial in winning this appeal.
“We all wish the Bhandal family well and congratulate them on the strength they have demonstrated as a family, something that should inspire us all.”
The family now lives in Saanich.