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Canadians in ICE detention centres left in legal limbo as families try to secure release
CBC News ^ | July 04, 2025 | Darren Major

Posted on 07/05/2025 9:17:23 AM PDT by jerod

Global Affairs says dozens of Canadians being held by U.S. immigration authorities

Relatives of Canadians detained by ICE in the United States say they're furious and frustrated by the treatment of their loved ones and the battles they're having to fight for even the most basic information.

Global Affairs Canada said it's aware of roughly 55 Canadians in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, though it said that the numbers can fluctuate.

Cynthia Olivera — born in Mississauga, Ont., but living in Los Angeles — was arrested last month when she and her husband went to an immigration office to complete an interview for her U.S. citizenship application. Paula Callejas of Montreal was in the process of finalizing a work visa when she was arrested for a misdemeanor — and then transferred to an ICE facility.

Olivera and Callejas's families told CBC News the weeks since their arrests have been a nightmare, filled with phone calls to lawyers and ICE bureaucracy.

"We're completely concerned for her overall safety and health," a member of Callejas's immediate family told CBC News. CBC is not naming the family member over concerns they may have their own immigration issues while travelling to the U.S.

Olivera's husband, Frank Olvera, said what was meant to be a routine immigration interview ended up feeling more like a trap.

"We were flabbergasted," Olvera told CBC News. "No due process."

Olivera, 45, moved to the U.S. with her family when she was young, her husband said. The two met in the '90s, married (she kept her last name), had children together and have been living in L.A. since then.

"About two years ago, since the children are now older, we decided to hire a lawyer and start the immigration process the correct way," Olvera said.

Decades-old U.S. entry refusal But instead of completing the interview, Olivera was arrested by immigration officials over a decades-old border issue, her husband said.

"They lured us into our immigration appointment … took my wife, put her in handcuffs, swept her away," he said.

"They didn't even give us an opportunity at the interview. Nothing."

Olvera said that in 1999, Olivera had travelled to Canada to attend her mother's funeral and was initially denied re-entry because she was pregnant and told border agents she planned to have the child in the U.S....


TOPICS: Canada; Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: canada
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""About two years ago, since the children are now older, we decided to hire a lawyer and start the immigration process the correct way," Olvera said.

Here's the deal... You break the law, then you expect to be exempt from punishment? That's not the way it works. If they did it the 'correct' way from the start... She wouldn't be in a detention center.

1 posted on 07/05/2025 9:17:23 AM PDT by jerod
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To: jerod

Not Guilty.


2 posted on 07/05/2025 9:21:41 AM PDT by MotorCityBuck (Keep the change, you are filthy animal !)
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To: jerod

So she was hiding out in the USA for 20 years and then 2 years ago decided to start the process.
She only did this because she saw the winds change that illegals no longer have a free ride.


3 posted on 07/05/2025 9:22:05 AM PDT by Zathras
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To: jerod

“Due process” my butt. Countries need to provide those they run out of the country with a “due process” coupin good for one “due process” in America. What a joke.


4 posted on 07/05/2025 9:23:33 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Correction! America is a nation of LEGAL IMMIGRANTS! All of mine came here legally. No free stuff.)
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To: jerod

Olivera’s husband, Frank Olvera, said what was meant to be a routine immigration interview ended up feeling more like a trap.
......

Good.


5 posted on 07/05/2025 9:26:26 AM PDT by delchiante
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To: jerod

I hope no democrats complain about this. I recall their favorite slogan for years was NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW.


6 posted on 07/05/2025 9:27:15 AM PDT by shelterguy
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To: Zathras

I think this White mother of multiple u.s. children should be allowed to stay and procreate some more. Also, rewarded with an additional tax credit.


7 posted on 07/05/2025 9:28:10 AM PDT by armourenthusiast (I capitalize everything related to the South)
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To: delchiante

Dang the luck!


8 posted on 07/05/2025 9:28:47 AM PDT by rktman (Destroy America from within? Check! WTH? Enlisted USN 1967 to end up with this💩? 🚫💉! 🇮🇱👍!)
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To: MotorCityBuck

There’s a line pal! (holding up #)
Lots of makeup though, could be happy ending.


9 posted on 07/05/2025 9:31:13 AM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives)
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To: tumblindice

Your Terrible. 👍😄


10 posted on 07/05/2025 9:33:07 AM PDT by MotorCityBuck (Keep the change, you are filthy animal !)
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To: MotorCityBuck

Those lips= guilty


11 posted on 07/05/2025 9:34:51 AM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s, you weren't really there)
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To: jerod

I imagine if you flush out the details that we haven’t seen there’s more to this than meets the eye

Also, I believe that cases like this are deliberately designed to intimidate the illegals here that haven’t been caught. In any case I don’t know why she’s not subject to the same rules that the illegal Mexicans are. Leave the country voluntarily, and then apply to come back. The length of time she’s been here does not exempt her


12 posted on 07/05/2025 9:37:50 AM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s, you weren't really there)
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To: jerod

They should check the voter registration rolls too. See if she voted.


13 posted on 07/05/2025 9:38:39 AM PDT by Dogbert41 (“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” -Matthew 5:9)
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To: ChildOfThe60s
You'll have to forgive my arbitrary application of the law at the moment.
I am having Beers on the Arnulfstraße in Munich watching the Fraulein walking by.
😎😉
14 posted on 07/05/2025 9:40:39 AM PDT by MotorCityBuck (Keep the change, you are filthy animal !)
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To: MotorCityBuck

You have special dispensation my FRiend.

She’s basically an attractive woman. I just don’t like 45-year-old women who dress and wear makeup like a 25 year old party girl.


15 posted on 07/05/2025 9:42:35 AM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s, you weren't really there)
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To: jerod

CBC - even more woke and deep-state controlled than NPR, by a factor of 10X


16 posted on 07/05/2025 9:45:17 AM PDT by PGR88
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To: ChildOfThe60s

Thank you Father.
As a Roman Catholic I need all the help I can get.😊


17 posted on 07/05/2025 9:46:44 AM PDT by MotorCityBuck (Keep the change, you are filthy animal !)
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To: jerod

That’s correct.


18 posted on 07/05/2025 9:47:28 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: shelterguy

Exactly.


19 posted on 07/05/2025 9:48:16 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: shelterguy

“ I recall their favorite slogan for years was NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW.”

One of the Dem’s other favorite slogans, if not their very favorite slogan, is “but that’s different”. It’s like “climate change”. It can apply to anything.


20 posted on 07/05/2025 9:49:16 AM PDT by Freee-dame
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