Abbotsford News

The drama surrounding refugee claimant Laibar Singh continues after officials said he could leave border services custody, but only after posting a $50,000 bond.

The Abbotsford temple – where Singh took refuge in and may return to – must also produce a letter addressed to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) saying it will make the paralyzed man available for removal from Canada.

Singh must also report by telephone each week to CBSA.

Singh entered Canada on a fake passport in 2003 claiming political persecution. He was paralyzed after a brain aneurysm a year ago and requires around-the-clock medical care.

He was to be deported on July 8, but fled to the temple on July 7, dodging deportation.

However, CBSA caught up with him on Aug. 13 after he left the temple to seek medical attention at MSA Hospital. He was arrested and ordered to be deported on Aug. 20, but the day before, Minister Stockwell Day intervened and gave him a 60-day reprieve to stay in the country so his health status and fitness for removal could be determined.

He has been in border services custody since at North Fraser Pretrial Centre.

The decision to allow Singh to leave custody was made on Wednesday in Vancouver at an immigration and refugee board hearing attended by dozens of his supporters.

While Singh's supporters are happy he can leave the North Fraser PreTrial Centre, they are concerned about the terms and conditions attached to his release.

Singh will only be released from custody when the bond is posted.

"Having to meet the $50,000 bond is a huge, huge problem for the community," said Harjap Grewal of No One Is Illegal, Vancouver. "It's a big concern."

Grewal is also concerned about making a faith-based organization give up its rights with regards to sanctuary, saying "it was unprecedented in Canadian history."

Speaking after the hearing, Singh's lawyer Zool Suleman told reporters the bond was too high, but hoped the Punjabi community would be able to fundraise the money.

Suleman is concerned about his client's health, but was sure Singh would receive adequate medical care at the Sahib Kalgidhar Darbar Temple on Blueridge Drive should he return there.

"We know what state he was in before his detention. We know what shape he was in before he was arrested," he said.

"What we don't know is the shape he's in now."

Grewal said he hopes during the 60-day reprieve, officials will hear Singh's application to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. He hopes the situation will not reach "a crisis state" where "to get justice" supporters and action groups will have to protest.

"People need to examine the immigration system in a very in depth manner to understand the nuances of what this case means," said Grewal, pointing out the Punjabi community willing to provide medical care for Singh is also a tax-paying community.

"This is not just a case of a man living off the Canadian system. It's more of a humanitarian case than an economic case."