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Scarlet Estrada, a Venezuelan immigrant living in Oakville, Ontario, is grappling with the heart-wrenching reality of her family’s plight back home. After applying to sponsor her elderly parents for immigration to Canada in 2022, she finds herself in a state of uncertainty long after the initial application. The devastating impact of Venezuela’s economic collapse has not only affected her family’s ability to reunite but also cost her father his life due to health complications exacerbated by malnutrition.
A Dire Situation
Estrada’s journey began with a fear for her parents’ well-being as Venezuela’s economy deteriorated. The urgency of her situation became painfully clear during a visit from her mother, who insisted on saving water used for cooking as a precious resource. “We realised how bad it was after seeing her,” Estrada recounted, reflecting on the stark realities faced by her family.
Despite submitting the necessary residency applications three years ago, Estrada is still awaiting a resolution. Tragically, her father passed away in Venezuela, leaving her mother, a 72-year-old former teacher, in limbo. Although her mother managed to extend her visitor visa for an additional year, that extension has now expired, leaving Estrada torn between adhering to immigration protocols and the fear of sending her mother back to a country rife with hardship. “It’s devastating,” she stated.
Canada’s Response to Venezuelan Immigration
For over a decade, the Canadian government has taken a firm stance against the Maduro regime, imposing sanctions and expressing support for the Venezuelan people. However, critics argue that this robust political posture has not translated into sufficient support for those fleeing the turmoil. While Ottawa has outlined various immigration pathways for eligible Venezuelans—including economic programmes and United Nations referrals—many families remain stranded.
In stark contrast to the government’s response to the Ukrainian crisis, where around 300,000 individuals were granted temporary residency, fewer than 2,200 Venezuelans benefited from a now-defunct family reunification programme. This discrepancy has led to growing frustrations among Venezuelan-Canadians and immigration advocates alike. Estrada and her husband, Igor Marín, have dedicated years to assisting friends and relatives in finding safety, yet many remain stuck in precarious situations.
Recent Developments and Continuing Challenges
In late 2023, the federal government introduced a special humanitarian programme aimed at assisting some Colombians, Haitians, and Venezuelans with family ties in Canada, allowing them to gain permanent residency. Although this initiative enabled approximately 2,100 Venezuelans to enter, experts like Sharry Aiken from Queen’s University describe the effort as insufficient relative to the immense need in the region.
Legal challenges have also compounded the difficulties faced by those attempting to navigate the system. Gloria Carrasquero, a lawyer at the Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples in Toronto, noted that the programme’s stringent requirements, such as criminal record checks, are nearly impossible for many Venezuelans to fulfil due to the lack of accessible documentation from their home country.
The Broader Implications
Despite the challenges, the Canadian government has refrained from committing to the kind of comprehensive measures that could significantly improve the situation for Venezuelan immigrants. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) spokesperson has stated that Canada stands by the Venezuelan people’s right to determine their future but has not specified any additional supportive actions.
Estrada and Marín remain particularly concerned for the fate of Marín’s brother, Lieutenant Colonel Igbert Marín Chaparro, who continues to languish in prison despite having completed his sentence. His case highlights the ongoing risks faced by political prisoners in Venezuela, underscoring the need for continued protection for those who oppose the current regime.
Why it Matters
The struggle of Venezuelan families like Estrada’s is emblematic of a broader humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention. As Canada grapples with its role as a refuge for those fleeing oppression, the inadequacies in its immigration response are starkly illuminated. The situation calls for a reassessment of policies to ensure that families can reunite safely and swiftly, reflecting the compassionate ideals Canada professes to uphold. The journey toward democracy in Venezuela is fraught with uncertainty, and for many, the path to safety remains perilously obstructed.
