Family devastated as relatives sent back to Mexico en route to N.L. for Christmas

The Wozney family planned to have a full house for Christmas in St. John's this year. 

Instead, the family is left in tears with the news that relatives, who live in Mexico, were denied entry to Canada at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

After arriving in Toronto Thursday night, they were on a plane back to Mexico Saturday morning. 

"We were waiting for a family member to come with her son. ... My sister-in-law and her 17-year-old son," Michael Wozney told CBC Radio's On the Go.

"We were in a position where we could bring them here for Christmas. [They'd] spend about a month with us and then we were all going to go back [to Mexico] for a reunion in February."

'Vague reasons'

Wozney said he did his due process and completed all the required paperwork in order for his sister-in-law, Ileana Herrera Siordia, and her son, Christopher Arturo Rodriguez Herrera, to visit for Christmas.

"[I] received confirmation that it was no problem for them to travel and then last night [Thursday] as they arrived to Pearson they were stopped and detained by immigration and told they were not eligible to enter the country."

I've had a crying family since Thursday night.- Michael Wozney

Wozney said some of his family members are from Mexico and became citizens of Canada through marriage or sponsorship.

"So it was all very legitimate in each instance," he said, adding that family living in Canada was one of the "vague reasons" Siordia and Herrera were given for their denial of entry.

"So the comment was 'Well, your sister and your brother and your other sister and your mother are here and they never went back to Mexico, they're still here. You're going to do the same," Wozney said. 

Family split across Canada

Cinthia Wozney, Michael's wife, said she has not seen her family in five years. 

"The [border] officer told her 'You want to stay, is why you come. You want to stay like your family.'" 

"And she said 'No...I'm not going to do that. I just came for visit my family,'" Cinthia Wozney said through tears. 

Their mother lives in Edmonton, which they said was another reason her sister, Siordia, was denied entry.

Michael Wozney said his sister-in-law was asked why she was going to Newfoundland if her mother lives in Alberta.

"Well it's because we invited her as a gift from me to my wife and my family, I brought them to come to St. John's and see us," he said.

"It shouldn't matter where her family is, if she wants to come visit us."  

Canada Border Services Agency responds

"Due to privacy reasons, the Canada Border Services Agency does not speak to specifics of any one case or file," the agency said in an email. 

"All persons must demonstrate they meet the requirements to enter and/or stay in Canada. Admissibility of all travellers is decided on a case-by-case basis and based on the information made available to the border services officer at the time of entry."

Wozney said  they have been waiting years to have his sister-in-law and nephew visit. He thought with the federal government dropping the Mexican visa requirement it was the perfect time to have a true family Christmas.

"I've had a crying family since Thursday night, both here and in Edmonton... my mother-in-law was coming in January to stay with us and visit with Ileana," he said, adding the emotional roller coaster has been the worst part for everyone.

"It truly has been a horrible experience."