This young entrepreneur was nearly deported from Thunder Bay, Ont. Now, permanent residency is within reach

After nearly being deported around Christmastime, a well-known volunteer and entrepreneur in Thunder Bay, Ont., is breathing a sigh of relief.

Abu Hena Mostofa Kamal, 24, has received approval in principle for his permanent residency application.

In 2018, he came to Thunder Bay from Bangladesh to study at Lakehead University. But after facing financial difficulties when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he was unable to afford his tuition and complete his education before his study permit expired.

Earlier this year, immigration and refugee lawyer Jennifer Dagsvik successfully argued a stay of removal motion for Kamal, who would have had to leave Canada for overstaying his study permit.

A few days ago, Kamal went to Dagsvik's office to complete some paperwork. Both were both surprised to see an email from the processing officer that said "approved."

"I'm feeling like a free person," Kamal told CBC News on Friday. "I'll be able to do things I always wanted to do because there will be more resource[s], potential and opportunity I will enjoy as a permanent resident, which I probably wouldn't without permanent residence … and the mental stability of not being in limbo."

Kamal isn't across the finish line yet, and Dagsvik said he has a few more things to complete before his application is fully approved in the coming months, but being "approved" signals better things to come.

"Being in limbo is a really terrible thing — not knowing where you would end up tomorrow, not knowing where your next meal is coming from, not knowing what's going to happen to you, not knowing you can make your own decision, not knowing that you have rights," Kamal said. 

"I'm just 24, so I don't know where life leads to, but it will be quite an adventure."

When Kamal needed help, the community rallied around him.

An online petition garnered nearly 3,000 signatures. His picture was on signs at a demonstration outside then Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino's office in December to call for a stop to Kamal's deportation, and mark the one-year anniversary of when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to launch a regularization program for migrants.

"I'm really blessed to have all the wonderful friends, wonderful people of Thunder Bay coming together in support of me staying in Thunder Bay and having my back in those difficult times," Kamal said. "I would never be able to make it without their support."

Dagsvik also used the community's efforts in her argument against Kamal's removal order.

"It's really amazing to see the community come together," she said.