UPDATE: The Lindo family’s status has been changed to permanent residents, granting them reprieve.
Amidst the ongoing World Athletic Championships in Tokyo, Canadian athletes have already secured three gold medals, putting athletics at the forefront of sports news.
While Canada celebrates its athletes’ accomplishments, there is a lesser-known story of triumph and struggle in the background.
Tamarri Lindo, a 21-year-old hurdler and health studies student at York University, has been making waves in the athletics scene. Lindo, who recently clinched a gold medal in the 4×100-metre relay and a silver medal in the 110m hurdles at the Canada Games, is a rising star in the sport.
Originally from Jamaica, the Lindo family sought asylum in Canada when Tamarri was 15 due to his father George’s involvement in political activities that led to multiple assassination attempts. The family’s ties to the People’s National Party and the political landscape in Jamaica put them in grave danger.
Lindo expressed concerns about his family’s safety and well-being, given his father’s political affiliations, highlighting the emotional toll it has taken on them.
Despite being granted a one-year stay last year, the Lindo family faces imminent deportation, with ongoing efforts to appeal on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. The uncertainty of their future looms large, casting a shadow over Lindo’s promising athletic career.
Various organizations, including York University, Athletics Canada, and the Canadian Olympic Committee, have rallied in support of Lindo, emphasizing his contributions to the athletic community and advocating for his continued presence in Canada.
The impending deportation raises concerns about the family’s safety and the impact on Lindo’s aspirations of representing Canada in the Olympics.
As the community stands behind Lindo, calls for government intervention to prevent the deportation intensify, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution in this exceptional case.
A petition initiated by the Migrant Workers Alliance has garnered significant support, reflecting the widespread concern for the Lindo family’s plight.
Amidst the accolades for his athletic prowess, the uncertainty surrounding Lindo’s residency status underscores the harsh realities faced by individuals caught in the complexities of immigration policies.
