[URBAN NOTE] "Deported Roma refugee family makes triumphant return"

[rfmcdonald]

The Toronto Star's Nicholas Keung describes how at least part of the wrong done by Canada's deportation of Roma refugee claimants under Harper is being undone.

When they were last on Canadian soil, the Pusuma family took sanctuary in a Toronto church as they fought to avoid being sent back to their native Hungary.

On Thursday, 18 months after leaving Canada, Jozsef Pusuma, his wife, Timea Daroczi, and their daughter Viktoria (Lulu) were welcomed back by their loyal supporters who battled for the Roma family’s return.

“I’m happy to be here, back for a free life. I feel home,” said an exhausted Pusuma, as he and his family walked out from the Pearson Internation Airport customs area to the applause of more than a dozen supporters from the Windermere United Church and Romero House.

“Thank you, Canada for giving my family a new life. We have fought for so long and today I’m free.”

Barbara Sheffield, a member of the church, said she was thrilled to see the family back and justice having persevered.