In the News July 15

Status for All!

Successful Campaign to Stop Edmonton Activist’s Deportation

On July 7, the Migrant Rights Network (MRN) reported that the deportation of undocumented activist Vangie Cayanan and her daughter McKenna Rose “was stopped in Edmonton after thousands of people spoke up, signed petitions, and took action. Organizing works! When we unite and fight, we win.”

Vangie Cayanan came to Canada as a temporary foreign worker in 2010, but lost her immigration status after standing up to abuse from her employer. Her daughter, McKenna Rose, was born in 2015 and is a Canadian citizen. Vangie, who has been a leader in the fight for the rights of migrant workers and their children, was to have been deported in early July and due to a militant campaign organized by Migrante Alberta her deportation has been deferred for at least a year.

Workers’ Forum congratulates Vangie and McKenna Rose and all those who joined the campaign and continue to fight for the rights of all.

As Vangie said, “We need to continue to fight for fundamental changes so no one will end up in a situation like me. I believe we can create change if we struggle together… Undocumented migrants are people, we are not rags that will be disposed after being used.”

The Migrant Rights Network notes that Vangie is one of at least 500,000 undocumented people in the country, and one of 1.7 million migrants without permanent resident status. Their petition to the federal government says “We call on the government to take this historic opportunity to work with migrant-led groups to regularize (give permanent resident status) to all undocumented people and ensure permanent resident (PR) status for all 1.7 million migrants. We believe in a fair society with equal rights for all. By ensuring full and permanent immigration status for all now and in the future, you can help realize this dream.”

(Photo: Migrant Rights Network)

Workers’ Forum, posted July 15, 2022.