After asylum claim denied, family returns home [View all]

[struggle4progress]

By Sarah Ferguson, Fort Erie Times
Tuesday, April 7, 2015 5:29:30 EDT PM

Paul and Leann DeHart ... have spent the last year in Canada seeking asylum with their son Matt, 30, a former U.S. soldier they believe is being unfairly persecuted by American authorities. They say their son has been falsely accused and was tortured in the U.S. while incarcerated during an espionage investigation related to his alleged involvement with the activities of online hacking groups WikiLeaks and Anonymous, and the leaking of classified government material.

When he was freed they fled to Canada and filed a request for asylum. Their refugee status in Canada was denied Feb. 1, and Matt was turned over to American authorities March 1. Paul and Leann were given “a window in which to depart,” Paul said, and chose to leave last Wednesday ...

Vanessa Barrasa, a spokeswoman for the Canada Border Services Agency, confirmed that “on Feb. 5, 2015, Mr. and Mrs. DeHart’s claim for refugee protection was refused” ...

Every individual who makes a refugee claim in Canada is issued a conditional departure order by the CBSA. The CBSA then refers the case to the Immigration and Refugee Board for determination ...

http://www.forterietimes.ca/2015/04/07/after-asylum-claim-denied-family-returns-home