Refugee family from Ukraine seeking to return to Canada faces immigration backlogs

Mina Melad Gerges Makar and his family had to leave Canada for Ukraine after his immigration application was rejected in January. Now, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Makars hope to return to Canada, but the backlog in the immigration system remain a significant hurdle.

Now, he's hoping to return to Canada and his lawyer believes the Makars have a "strong case" to make to Canadian immigration officials, but the backlog in the immigration system remain a significant hurdle.

"I think we'll ultimately get a positive decision. I'm confident of that. We have good facts and I believe that when you have good facts, you usually get a good decision," immigration lawyer Barbara Jo Caruso told CTV News Channel on Friday.

Makar and his wife, Svitlana, first came to Canada in 2016. Although their three children were all born in Canada and are thus Canadian citizens, they were deported to Ukraine after their case to stay in the country on humanitarian and compassionate grounds wasn't approved.

After the war broke out, the Makars made the long journey across the Polish border and then to Germany. They eventually landed in Switzerland, where they are being hosted by a Swiss family.