In the frigid pre-dawn hours outside a Canadian detention center, supporters of Kilmar Abrego Garcia gathered in protest, their breath visible in the cold air as they held signs demanding “Stop the Deportation” and “Justice for Kilmar.” The 33-year-old LGBTQ+ asylum seeker from El Salvador faces imminent deportation to Uganda, a country where he has no ties and where homosexuality is criminalized—potentially subjecting him to life imprisonment.
“This is not just about one man’s fate,” said immigration advocate Sarah Thompson at yesterday’s rally. “This case exposes fundamental flaws in Canada’s refugee determination system that must be addressed.”
Abrego Garcia’s case has ignited nationwide controversy after the Immigration and Refugee Board denied his asylum claim despite compelling evidence of the dangers he would face upon deportation. According to documents obtained by CO24 News, Abrego Garcia fled El Salvador in 2018 following death threats related to his sexual orientation. After being denied asylum in the United States, he sought protection in Canada in 2022.
The Canada Border Services Agency has scheduled his deportation to Uganda—not his native El Salvador—due to complex routing requirements and documentation issues, raising serious concerns about his safety upon arrival.
Legal experts have criticized the decision as potentially violating international non-refoulement principles. “Sending someone to a country where they have no connections and where they face persecution based on their sexual orientation potentially violates Canada’s obligations under the UN Refugee Convention,” explained immigration lawyer Daniel Moreau in an exclusive interview with CO24.
The case has drawn sharp political divisions. Opposition critics have condemned the government’s handling of the situation, with NDP MP Jenny Kwan telling Parliament yesterday, “This deportation contradicts everything Canada claims to stand for on the world stage.” Government officials maintain they are following established protocols while reviewing all available options.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have mobilized substantial community support, with over 50,000 Canadians signing a petition calling for Immigration Minister Marc Miller to issue a ministerial intervention. Protests have spread from Vancouver to Halifax, with particularly large gatherings in Toronto and Montreal.
“The outpouring of support demonstrates that Canadians believe our refugee system should protect vulnerable individuals, not place them in harm’s way,” said Omar Rodriguez, director of Rainbow Refugee Canada.
Financial analysts note the case comes at a politically sensitive time, as Canada’s immigration policies face increased scrutiny amid economic concerns and housing shortages. “The government is walking a tightrope between humanitarian obligations and responding to growing public anxiety about immigration levels,” explained political economist Dr. Maya Patel.
A last-minute legal challenge has been filed seeking a stay of deportation, with a Federal Court hearing scheduled for tomorrow. Legal experts give the application moderate chances of success, though time is running short.
As darkness fell on the detention center last night, the crowd of supporters grew, their candles illuminating handmade signs. Among them stood Jorge Flores, who successfully fought his own deportation in 2019: “Canada saved my life when I needed protection. Now Canada must do the same for Kilmar.”
As this case unfolds in the coming days, it raises a profound question for Canadian society: Can a nation that projects global leadership on human rights reconcile its diplomatic positions with the lived experiences of those seeking its protection at their most vulnerable moment?
