'My life is here': Homeless man living in Canada for 48 years faces deportation
He's lived in Canada for almost 50 years, but a homeless man who calls himself "Captain" is now facing deportation.
Although he's a longtime resident, Captain is not a Canadian citizen.
In 2013, the federal government changed the immigration law with Bill C-43 that allows a non-citizen to be deported after serving a six-month sentence for a crime, without the right to appeal.
Back in Feb. 21, 2013, Captain served eights months in jail for breaking and entering.
The Current had met Captain earlier this year. He had a few run-ins with the law but he always felt he would turn his life around.
"I know, eventually, I will get out of this. I've been down before — rock bottom, and I've always bounced back," Captain told The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti in January.
Captain's addictions had cost him his work, and his family. He dreamed of one day turning his life around, and reuniting with his family.
Immigration lawyers say Captain is not alone — other unlikely people with a criminal record face the same fate under Bill C-43 (The Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act)
Guests in this segment:
- Captain lives in Toronto.
- Lorne Waldman, immigration lawyer in Toronto.
- Julie Taub, immigration lawyer in Ottawa.
This segment was produced by The Current's Ines Colabrese.