A family from Nigeria residing in Windsor, Ontario, is appealing to the Canadian government to allow them to remain in the country, citing concerns for their safety and the need for ongoing medical care for their 16-year-old daughter, a cancer survivor.
Amirat Fayemi, the daughter, expressed her plea for safety and continued medical treatment, stating, “I still have ongoing treatments and checkups. If we were to be sent back home, I have a lot of problems because my father is in danger, and it’s not a safe option to return.”
Amirat, who is in remission after battling leukemia in 2022, is currently undergoing treatment for a new blood-related issue, raising concerns about a possible cancer recurrence. Despite medical advice against air travel, the family has been asked to leave the country.
The family’s journey to Canada began after Amirat’s misdiagnosis in Nigeria, where she was initially told she had a flu or was possessed. Her cancer diagnosis only surfaced while vacationing in the U.S., where she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and underwent extensive treatment.
Upon arrival in Canada in January 2023, the family sought asylum, which was subsequently denied along with appeals. They are now seeking permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. Despite facing imminent deportation, they are hopeful for a positive resolution.
Community support from Nigerian groups in Windsor emphasizes the family’s contributions to society and advocates for their stay in Canada. The family’s MP, Conservative Harb Gill, has been contacted for support, while the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has refrained from commenting on the case due to privacy concerns.
As the family awaits a decision on their fate, they continue to fight against deportation, with the mother, Hotonu, pleading, “Please Canada, restore my child’s hope to live.”