Two Cubans staying in the Meaford-Thornbury area as part of a Canada World Youth exchange have gone missing, leaving a letter saying they plan to seek asylum in Canada. The disappearance has thrown into confusion the exchange group of now eight Cubans and nine Canadians, said Robert Burcher, who has played host to some group members at his home near Clarksburg.
Both Raidel Ramierz and Jorge Payan were staying with families in Meaford. Like the other Cuban visitors, they are teachers in training who have been in the area for almost three months and were to head home to Cuba next Monday, with the Canadian participants.
“This is all the buzz in Thornbury today,” Burcher said.
Canada World Youth confirmed Tuesday that two Cuban members of the exchange group are missing. Toronto-based program manager Diane Der said others in the group are “devastated” by the disappearance, but said she had few details.
“The others are just absolutely furious” because they believe this reflects badly on their country and on the program, Burcher said.
He described the exchange participants in their early 20s as Cuba’s “brightest of the bright,” all “solid citizens.”
Their disappearance Monday night – after a flurry of e-mails and phone calls to someone in Toronto – was so well organized it must have been planned for some time, Burcher added. The two left a long note telling the other Cubans they still love their country and detailing their decision to remain in Canada.
Canada World Youth has organized international exchanges with countries around the world for 36 years, averaging 37 programs each year. It is “rare” for asylum seekers to run off during the exchanges, but it has happened before, Der said late Tuesday afternoon.
CWY routinely seeks to avoid such incidents through workshops, warning participants about the difficulties they will face trying to remain in Canada as aliens.
“Living in a country without status is no easy thing,” she said. “They certainly won’t have the same access and privileges they have as part of the exchange.”
The disappearance has been reported to police and the program participants are trying to complete the project despite the disruption.
“This is very difficult for everyone,” Der said. “It has taken us very much by surprise.”
The two Cubans left without their passports, which are held during their stay by CWY officials partly to avoid such incidents. But they have not broken any immigration laws, Der said, because their visas remain valid until the scheduled departure time early next week.
The disappearance is not expected to have any impact on plans for the nine Canadians to travel to Cuba next week to complete the other side of the exchange over the next three months, Der said.
Isn’t it interesting how this Canadian program discourages these students from defecting. They want them to come to Canada and see and taste some freedom for a couple of months, but then it’s back to the island prison for the lot of you. What a bunch a swell guys.
Oh well, what else can we expect from a nation that finds nothing particularly wrong with vacationing in a brutal totalitarian state?
I wonder how many Candian students will defect to Cuba? NONE. Isn’t that odd?
They need to keep their heads down and just head for the U.S. border.
My own family has done this – on his way back from military training in East Germany in the early 80’s, my cousin – a military doctor – skipped out in the airport from his party handlers. He covertly made it to the US-Canada frontier, and is now very happy, a practicing doctor, and a US citizen.
Come on Jorge and Raidel, somehow get yourselves to the US!
Is it me or does Ms Der show show subtle racism?
The quote you outlined “Living in a country without status is no easy thing,” she said. “They certainly won’t have the same access and privileges they have as part of the exchange.” would be funny if it were not so sad. That quote applies to Cubans in Cuba in comparison to Canadien Tourists.
What if they make it to the US embassy? Is that considered dry feet?
What if they make it to the US embassy? Is that considered dry feet?
If they cross via the Niagara Falls most likely they feet will be wet.
hopefully they will be allowed to stay
I am not sure I have ever heard of a prior case, but would Canada deport them back to Cuba even if they are claiming political asylum?
Eso fuera el colmo!
The country that harbors American draft-dodgers would deport two students back to a totalitarian regime?
Tell me it ain’t so!
I’m soooo confused.
Why would two of Cuba’s “best and brightest” give up free health care, free education, all the food the ration card provides at subsidized prices? Give up all that for a difficult and uncertain existence without status!!
Also, don’t forget, by leaving now, they give up the chance to vote in January to decide whether fidel stays or goes. I just don’t understand these guys. What were they thinking?!
What were they thinking?!
Se comieron un Big Mac con papas y se dieron cuenta que no tienen que esperar 8 años para volverse a comer otro
que estupidos han sido estos comunistas por 48 años? Si le hubieran dado comida, vivienda, y transportacion nada mas suficiente a todos los cubanos , el pueblo votaria por ellos siempre y los amarian de corazon aunque no tuvieran las libertades necesarias
pero fueron demasiados egoitas e ineptos ..Ahora ya es muy tarde porque hay muchos muertos por medio
I don’t know why that organization misinform the cubans, Canada has a refuge program that will not deport a person without a fair hearing, the hearing will allow a lawyer, paid by the goverment and sufficient time to prepare the case, in case of denial, there is an appeal process. I am not aware if any cuban deported against his wish, in 27 years that I have been here. http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/index_e.htm, please publish this as much as you can.
Refugee Claims
The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) determines claims for refugee protection made within Canada.
How do claims for protection make their way to the IRB?
All claims for protection made within Canada are received by a Canada Border Services Agency immigration officer at a port of entry (border, airport, port) or at a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Immigration Centre. All claims deemed eligible by the officers are referred to the IRB for a hearing.
Why does the RPD have to hear the claims refered by CIC?
Canada is a signatory to several international agreements, including the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Under these three agreements, Canada must process all claims for protection made within Canada.
For whom does the RPD provide protection?
Under the above agreements, the RPD must provide protection for:
“Convention refugees”, and
“persons in need of protection”.
Who is a “Convention refugee”?
Within the meaning of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, refugees are persons who are outside the country of their nationality and have a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of:
race,
religion,
nationality,
political opinion, or
membership of a particular social group.
Who is a “person in need of protection”?
Under a number of conventions, persons in need of protection are persons whose removal to their country of origin would subject them personally to:
a danger of torture,
a risk to their life, or
a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.
The RPD’s role is to determine which claimants are Convention refugees or persons in need of protection.
If the RPD grants “Convention Refugee” status or “protected person” status…
The claimant receives the status of “protected person” and can apply for permanent residence in Canada, and, eventually, for citizenship at CIC.
If the RPD does not grant “Convention Refugee” status or “protected person” status…
The claimant can be removed from Canada.
The claimant can:
ask the Federal Court for permission to apply for judicial review,
ask for a pre-removal review by the Canada Border Services Agency, or
ask for a humanitarian and compassionate review by CIC.
Dang, Fidel Pro Democracy; when you answer a question, you answer a question! Excellent job of educating me and the others who were not aware of the nuances of Canada’s immigration law.
You were quite correct in stating that these Canadian exchange program directors are misinforming these Cuban students. Considering Canada’s long history of being lenient with immigrants, I can only assume these people intentionally misinform the Cubans to minimize defections so as to keep the dictatorship sending students. It’s a great way to make sure their grants and subsequent salaries remain in place.
What a bunch of lousy scum these people are. They lie to these poor kids and send them back to a life of slavery so that they can continue collecting their salaries.
Canada is part of the Death-By-Navel-Gazing Coalition.