A refugee applicant from Bangladesh, residing in Canada since 2019, finds himself detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after inadvertently crossing the border near Montreal.

Reports from The Canadian Press reveal that Mahin Shahriar was led across the border by a supposed friend over the phone, under the false pretense of providing temporary accommodation. Upon realizing his mistake upon entering the United States, Shahriar approached border officials seeking to return to Canada, only to be taken into custody instead.

Shahriar’s legal representative, Washim Ahmed, highlights that ICE acknowledges the potential risks Shahriar faces if deported to Bangladesh, where he is accused of aiding his mother and sister in escaping the country. Both his mother and sister possess valid status in Canada, with his mother being a recognized refugee.

Ahmed reveals that ICE made efforts to repatriate Shahriar to Canada, but the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) refused entry. The CBSA maintains that it cannot interfere in foreign enforcement matters and that all entries must undergo scrutiny at an examination center on a case-by-case basis.

The legal counsel argues that, in accordance with the Safe Third Country Agreement, Shahriar should be permitted reentry into Canada since he was detained within 14 days of crossing the border. A motion is being prepared for the Federal Court to compel the CBSA to accept his transfer on compassionate grounds.

Shahriar, who previously supported his family by working as an Uber driver in Montreal, has been held in detention in Buffalo since May. His family in Canada is grappling with emotional and financial challenges amidst the uncertainties surrounding his situation.