A man from Pakistan was deported by the United States shortly after Canadian border services agreed to review his case. However, the decision was only communicated to his lawyer five days later, rendering it ineffective. Abdul Raqeeb spent over two months detained at a New York Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility during the summer.
The family’s plight was brought to light by CBC News in early September while Abdul was still in detention, and his wife Saba and their two-and-a-half-year-old child Shahzain were sheltered in Buffalo. Despite providing evidence of Abdul’s uncle in Canada, which made them eligible for entry and refugee status, Canadian border agents turned them away in July at an official crossing.
Following the news coverage, Toronto-based immigration lawyer Jared Will took on the Raqeeb family’s case, urgently requesting the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to reconsider their entry request at a land border before Abdul’s deportation from the U.S. Saba and Shahzain remained in Buffalo awaiting updates.
CBSA’s email on September 23 agreed to reconsider the case if Raqeeb presented himself in person at a Canadian land port of entry, accessible only through the U.S. However, the decision was dated September 18, the same day Raqeeb was deported, creating a significant delay.
This incident is one of several instances where individuals were denied entry into Canada despite meeting eligibility criteria, possibly due to CBSA’s strict standards, according to Will. CBSA did not respond to requests for comment.
Raqeeb, aged 46, moved from Pakistan to the U.S. in January with his wife and child on a business and tourism visa. They decided to seek asylum in Canada after facing threats for assisting a stranger in Islamabad. The family attempted to enter Canada on July 13 but was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, with Raqeeb later transferred to an ICE detention center.
After opting for voluntary deportation due to health issues and poor detention conditions, Raqeeb returned to Islamabad. Upon CBSA’s request for him to appear at a Canadian land border through the U.S., Saba expressed frustration and confusion.
Will is exploring limited legal options for Raqeeb’s entry into Canada, such as requesting a temporary residence permit or visitor visa from Immigration Minister Lena Diab. He questions CBSA’s delayed communication of decisions, which now hold little relevance.
Since President Trump’s inauguration, CBSA has reportedly tightened entry restrictions, resulting in more rejections at the border. The agency has processed fewer asylum claims in 2025 compared to 2024 but has maintained a consistent rate of denials. CBSA previously committed to removing an additional 4,000 individuals from the country by 2027.
