Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada Approves Refugee Claim Of Man Who Fled Somalia After Death Threat

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Sep, 2015 12:50 PM
    WINNIPEG — A Somali man who swam across the Red River thinking it was the border between the United States and Canada has had his refugee claim accepted.
     
    The Immigration and Refugee Board told 32-year-old Yahya Samatar at a hearing in Winnipeg today that his claim was accepted.
     
    Samatar can now apply to be a permanent resident, a process that could take more than a year.
     
    At that time, he will be able to bring his wife and four children to Canada.
     
    Samatar was a human rights worker in Somalia, was kidnapped and fled after his life was threatened by terrorist group Al Shabab.
     
    It took him a year to reach Canada — first he flew from Somalia to Brazil, then hiked through the jungle to Colombia, then up through Central America and to the United States, where he was detained, then headed north.
     
    He found himself on the shore of the Red River.
     
    Although he wasn't exactly sure where he was, he believed crossing the river would land him on Canadian soil so he jumped in and swam across through the fast and frigid waters, wondering if he would encounter crocodiles as he would in rivers at home.
     
    Emerging on the other side, Samatar walked across several farms before meeting a Good Samaritan who gave him clothes and linked him with the Canadian Border Services Agency.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Alleged Killer of 3 Ex-Girlfriends Basil Borutski's Refusal To Sign Probation Order Was A 'Message'

    Alleged Killer of 3 Ex-Girlfriends Basil Borutski's Refusal To Sign Probation Order Was A 'Message'
    Amanda Dale, executive director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, said Basil Borutski's decision should have been cause for concern.

    Alleged Killer of 3 Ex-Girlfriends Basil Borutski's Refusal To Sign Probation Order Was A 'Message'

    Liberals Plan For Surplus By End Of First Term Scrutinized By Opponents

    Liberals Plan For Surplus By End Of First Term Scrutinized By Opponents
    The three major federal party leaders were away from the campaign spotlight Saturday, but the election stage was occupied by the Liberals who released a full costing of their campaign promises.

    Liberals Plan For Surplus By End Of First Term Scrutinized By Opponents

    Rob Ford Was 'Reckless' When He Knocked Over Councillor: Integrity Commissioner

    Toronto's integrity commissioner says then-mayor Rob Ford was "unnecessarily reckless" when he accidentally knocked over a city councillor during a televised high-stakes meeting two years ago.

    Rob Ford Was 'Reckless' When He Knocked Over Councillor: Integrity Commissioner

    Hillary Clinton Announced Another Canada Policy This Week, Could Affect Millions: Pharma

    Hillary Clinton Announced Another Canada Policy This Week, Could Affect Millions: Pharma
    Lost in the noise of her headline-grabbing coming-out against the Keystone XL pipeline, Hillary Clinton announced another Canada-U.S. policy this week that could affect millions of people.

    Hillary Clinton Announced Another Canada Policy This Week, Could Affect Millions: Pharma

    Amarpreet Samra, Shakiel Basra Charged In Surrey Schoolyard Shooting

    Amarpreet Samra, Shakiel Basra Charged In Surrey Schoolyard Shooting
    21-year-old Amarpreet Samra of Richmond, B.C., and 21-year-old Shakiel Basra of Delta, B.C. men are both South Asian

    Amarpreet Samra, Shakiel Basra Charged In Surrey Schoolyard Shooting

    Shots Fired During Failed Dawson Creek Home Invasion; RCMP Searches For Suspects

    Shots Fired During Failed Dawson Creek Home Invasion; RCMP Searches For Suspects
    RCMP say they received a report of several people trying to break into the home by force early Friday morning.

    Shots Fired During Failed Dawson Creek Home Invasion; RCMP Searches For Suspects