After months of putting up with the battle in Gaza, Waseem Elrayyes and his fast household are amongst the fortunate ones who’ve been capable of escape to Canada beneath the federal government’s temporary visa program.
Elrayyes, 39, his spouse, their 5 youngsters, his mom and brother have been dwelling in Nepean together with his sister Ola Alrayyes since Oct. 31, 2024.
Earlier than arriving in Canada, the household sheltered in crowded buildings and a tent in Gaza after their very own house was destroyed. His youngest baby was born through the battle.
Elrayyes does not communicate English, so his sister interpreted as he recalled what it was wish to stay by means of the battle.
“You do not know what is going on to occur, if will probably be your final day or not,” mentioned Alrayyes, whose circle of relatives has six members.
“His youngsters weren’t the identical youngsters that he used to have,” she continued. “They have been screaming, [had] concern on a regular basis and anxiousness and many psychological points affected them through the battle.”
The Canadian authorities introduced the particular measure for prolonged households final January, permitting eligible Gazans to remain in Canada for as much as three years normally.
This system was initially capped at 1,000, however in Could, Immigration Minister Marc Miller elevated the variety of accessible visas to five,000 to accommodate the rising demand.
Alrayyes has utilized on behalf of 29 of her members of the family, however to this point solely 16 have arrived.
“We’re ready for the Canadian authorities to take additional steps to assist folks that stay in Gaza. Many individuals there [are] ready for this second,” she mentioned.
As of Jan. 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) mentioned 4,782 functions had been counted towards the consumption cap, and have been deemed eligible — however solely 616 folks have arrived beneath the momentary coverage.
Holdup on the border
In an announcement to CBC, IRCC mentioned earlier than an utility might be finalized, the candidates should exit Gaza to finish their biometrics in Egypt. However that is not all the time straightforward.
“Motion out of Gaza stays extraordinarily difficult because of components outdoors of Canada’s management. This continues to be the first difficulty in how shortly we will course of functions from Gazans,” IRCC mentioned.
IRCC added that 1,014 folks have exited Gaza on their very own, have submitted biometrics and have been accredited to return to Canada.
Elrayyes and his household accomplished this course of again in March, crossing the Rafah border into Egypt at a value of $5,000 US per grownup and $2,500 per baby.
However when the border crossing closed later within the spring, his two sisters have been unable to finish the applying. Now, many are caught in the identical scenario.
“I used to be like helpless. I can not do something about it. We’re rooting for the Canadian authorities to do something about it,” Alrayyes mentioned in a separate interview. “You are worried on a regular basis about them.”
‘Disturbing, alarming, problematic’
Jamie Liew, a legislation professor on the College of Ottawa who’s an knowledgeable in immigration, refugee and citizenship legislation, mentioned she sympathizes with the Canadian authorities for the distinctive challenges this battle poses, however thinks extra must be accomplished.
“We’ve got a whole lot of expertise in bringing folks over in massive scale, together with the Syrian refugee disaster and people who have been coming from Ukraine. So I feel it’s fairly telling, disturbing, alarming, problematic that just a few folks have been capable of profit from this program,” Liew mentioned.
After 15 months of battle, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal on Jan. 15 to pause the combating in Gaza. Liew hopes the Canadian authorities capitalizes on what might be a brief window.
“Now that now we have a ceasefire, that is the time to be appearing shortly and quickly. We do not know the way lengthy the ceasefire will final. I feel it’s incumbent upon the federal government to behave shortly, to behave quickly and to help — to essentially put the assets there — to help folks to get out,” she mentioned.
Elrayyes fears the pause in violence will probably be short-lived.
“Regardless of the enjoyment … that the river of blood will probably be stopped, there may be one other concern. I feel will probably be one other battle after battle. The infrastructure of Gaza, it is all demolished. The folks in Gaza proper now, they may have a really difficult scenario,” Alrayyes mentioned on behalf of her brother.
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