Close X
Sunday, November 10, 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

    NDP, Liberals decry federal secrecy on Trans-Pacific trade negotiations

    NDP, Liberals decry federal secrecy on Trans-Pacific trade negotiations
    Finance Minister Joe Oliver says the government is well within its rights to negotiate a massive Pacific Rim trade agreement in the middle of an election campaign.

    NDP, Liberals decry federal secrecy on Trans-Pacific trade negotiations

    Latest Xprize Offers $20 Million To Find New Uses For Carbon Emissions

    Latest Xprize Offers $20 Million To Find New Uses For Carbon Emissions
    Asking the public to "reimagine carbon," a group of oilsands companies is helping to launch a $20-million XPrize competition to find innovative ways to address carbon emissions.

    Latest Xprize Offers $20 Million To Find New Uses For Carbon Emissions

    Audit won't decide if Pan Am execs get $5.7 million in bonuses

    Audit won't decide if Pan Am execs get $5.7 million in bonuses
    Ontario's auditor general will conduct a financial audit of the Pan Am Games in Toronto, but will not determine if executives should split $5.7 million in bonuses.

    Audit won't decide if Pan Am execs get $5.7 million in bonuses

    Boa Constrictor Missing For A Month In Fredericton Has Been Found

    Boa Constrictor Missing For A Month In Fredericton Has Been Found
    A boa constrictor named Venus that went missing in a residential neighbourhood in Fredericton more than a month ago has been found.

    Boa Constrictor Missing For A Month In Fredericton Has Been Found

    Alberta's Notley tries to clarify her feelings about Mulcair's climate plan

    Alberta's Notley tries to clarify her feelings about Mulcair's climate plan
    Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says she "strongly supports" the federal NDP's plan to combat climate change, except for a cap-and-trade system that could potentially move money out of her province.

    Alberta's Notley tries to clarify her feelings about Mulcair's climate plan

    Residents Plucked From Balconies As Fire Races Through Large Surrey Apartment

    Residents Plucked From Balconies As Fire Races Through Large Surrey Apartment
    The most extensive damage appears to be on the top floor of a newer three or four storey building not far from the Gateway SkyTrain station (on King George Boulevard at 108 Street.)

    Residents Plucked From Balconies As Fire Races Through Large Surrey Apartment