OUR FAMILY – OUR STORY

Our Family – Our Story

(a summary of my essay submitted as part of the immigration application)

Juan and I first met during the Gunn Baldursson Soccer Tournament in 1998. Juan was a referee in this tournament and the Atlantic All Star Tournament held at Kings Edgehill School during that weekend. I was in attendance as a coach, scouting potential players to compete for the Dalhousie Women’s soccer program.

During the summer of 1998 we dated, mainly in the Valley where we hiked, spent many hours both golfing and playing soccer together and hours and hours of great conversation. I had never been a fan of golf and initially just came along for the conversation and later became very eager to play myself. In addition, Juan helped me with the summer soccer camps that I was hired to conduct for the Valley District Soccer Association. Both of us are very passionate about soccer and it was this passion that drew us very close. But then we realized that we loved and valued the same things – great food, sports, family and great times together socializing and laughing by ourselves or with friends.

In the spring of 1999 we purchased our family soccer store, now Juandaro’s Futbol Boutique in Wolfville, NS. Juan had left his job at the Prince George and we decided to move to the Valley, my home, to run our new family business and coach soccer throughout the Valley in the summer months. On September 20^th we received a letter from the Halifax immigration office informing us of Juan’s deportation on September 28^th, 1999. Immediately, we met with our former lawyer who informed us that there was no way to avoid this deportation order. We were not willing to accept this ultimatum, so, Juan inquired about our current lawyer, Lee Cohen. On Thursday, Sept 23 we spoke to Lee Cohen and discussed the options for our case.

On September 27^th, 1999 Juan and I were married at the Hantsport United Church in my hometown. The wedding was attended by our closest family and friends and my Dalhousie Women’s Soccer team, with a reception at my family home. The following morning, September 28^th , we met with immigration officials in Halifax who informed us that Juan needed to leave Canada. Lee negotiated on behalf of Juan to have Juan go to Spain. Juan left Canada for Spain in early October 1999. I joined Juan in Spain on Dec 14^th. On January 25^th, Juan and I arrived back in Canada. At this time we proudly announced to our family and friends that we were expecting our first child, Orlando. Within a few weeks Juan reported himself to immigration officials in Halifax. At the completion of that meeting we expected to hear from the immigration officials but didn’t for several years.

Over these next few years, Juan and I focused on two things: Firstly, our family. Both Juan and I wanted to have children. In 2003 we had our second child, Milena. In 2005, I gave birth to our third child, Juan Pablo. Our second area of focus was our family business, Juandaro’s Futbol Boutique. Both Juan and I spent many hours coaching either paid or volunteer, running soccer camps, and working hard to establish our business in the soccer community. A family friend suggested the name compiling our three names – Juan, Dara, and Orlando. I love to say the name – because it represents what we are all about – it reminds me of how important everyone in my family is to me, drawing a special connection between the family and our business.

During the next few years, Juan and I grew even closer, as our children started to show who they were going to become. Our priority during this time was enjoying our family and helping our children learn important values and morals to become great Canadian citizens. In addition, a lot of our time was spent in our family business or coaching, playing, refereeing, all around our second passion, soccer. During this time, Lee Cohen was leading our case and seeking options for Juan to apply for that would allow him to remain in Canada.

All applications failed during this time. In late September 2007 Juan received a deportation letter. We later met with immigration officials and Juan was deported on Oct 3^rd 2007.

It has been almost 18 months since Juan’s deportation and life has been most chaotic. Myself, a Canadian, am left here with three amazing Canadian children, (7yrs,5yrs,and almost 3), a family business and my soccer coaching position at Acadia University. Sometimes I feel as though I am balancing three full time jobs, but the most difficult part is always managing the emotional aspect of this tragedy that has struck my family. Explaining to our children why their father is not here with them is very difficult and painful. I have been very open with them in explaining what is happening but they are kids and it doesn’t make sense to them (me neither for that matter). The physical and emotional challenges are very great, not to mention the financial challenges of our current situation.

Juan and I talk often, keeping him up-to-date on the children as well as the family business. The children talk to him as well, through the computer and webcam. Our love for each other has grown deeper as a result of this horrible situation. And I now understand both the strength of Juan and me, as well as the strength in our children. I do know that it is so important for Juan to be back in the lives of his children –he is missed so much and he will never be able to get this period of time back. And there are so many things that he has missed – and for this I am very sad for him. Juan is a great husband and father and he deserves the right to be the leader of his family and to continue to influence and shape his children. Although I am somewhat biased, I believe that we have a wonderful family and we are missing a big piece of our family unit.

We are asking you for your support by signing our online petition. In addition, you will find links to key people that we need support from in this campaign. If you would like to help more, please write to them personally.

Go to (for the petition): http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/reuniteourfamily/index.html

Thanks for your ongoing support.

Sincerely, Dara, on behalf of our family