Despite the fact that the Hon. John McCallum issued an exemption that allowed Jose Figueroa to leave sanctuary at Walnut Grove Lutheran Church and regain his freedom in December 2015. The bureaucracy within CSIS, CBSA has not giving up the possibility to continue using the same allegation against other immigrants and refugees. Jose Figueroa continues his struggle to clear his name from the unfounded allegation that took away his freedom!!

Mark your calendar for March 23, 2017. This day Jose Figueroa will be self representing before the Federal Court of Appeal again. The hearing will take place at 701 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V7Y 1B6, starting at 9:30 am. It is scheduled to last no more than 3 hours. But since it is a public hearing you can come an show your support to the family. When you arrive to the Federal Court Building at the reception on the 3rd floor, ask for the matter of Figueroa v. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, you can enter and leave the courtroom when you wish as long as you do so quietly so you don’t disturb the proceeding. Your moral support is very, very important, the issue of access to justice is very serious, everyday thousands of people have their rights violated because they can’t afford legal representation, legal precedents that are decided having regard to fundamental principles rather than having regard to who can pay a lawyer, are urgently needed, your presence in the Courtroom will be of great help.

A quick note of reference, Jose tried to get a stay of the proceeding pending the results of an investigation the information commissioner on a complaint that was submitted in 2014, the Court of Appeal has just dismissed Jose’s request, for this reason the hearing will still take place on March 23, 2017, at 9:30 am at the Federal Court Building. We hope that you can provide your moral support to the family.