Seema Sheikh and Sabir Mohammed Sheikh, originally from Karachi, Pakistan, were accepted as refugees in Canada in 2001. However in 2007 their status was revoked. The Sheikh family worked hard over their years in Canada, and rebuilt a vibrant life in their neighborhood of Parc Extension, in Montreal. They have become a vital part of the community and developed close relationships with their neighbours. Now the family is separated, with Seema and Sabir having been deported to the U.S., and their children, including their 5 year old Canadian-born daughter living in Montreal. Not only do Sabir and Seema Sheikh, and their four children -- Ashra Sheikh (26 years), Tayyaba Sheikh (23 years), Sami Sheikh (21 years) and Sabrina Sheikh (5 years)- face life-threatening danger in Pakistan if they are forced to go back, but they will also face tremendous loss of all they built for themselves in Canada. Seema and Sabir are well known for their community involvement and generous assistance to people in need. In addition to being a hard worker at home, Seema has played a significant role at the local school and in community projects such as Harmonie. Sabir was a hard-working manager of the largest and popular grocery store in Park-Extension, Marché BK, and often contributed to community festivities by donating food goods. His leadership skills and work ethic has led his employer at Marché BK to request his return to Montreal so Sabir can continue his invaluable contributions to the store. Ashra, 26 years, determined to live an autonomous and dignified life, is currently studying political science at Concordia University. After her parents were deported, she left her longtime employment at Walmart in order to work closer to home as a cashier at Marché BK, so she can be available to her five year-old sister, Sabrina. Tayyaba, 23 years, the second eldest daughter, is married to a Canadian citizen and lives in Toronto with her two young Canadian children. Sami, the 21 year-old son, is enrolled at Vanier College in Computer Science Technology. He is a also a supervisor at the research company Harris/Decima Research. Sabrina attends École Camille-Laurin in Park-Extension. The Sheikh children are trilingual speakers. We, the undersigned, believe that the Sheikh family are Refugees under the Geneva Convention which prohibits the forcible return of people facing persecution, and that Canada has the obligation, under international law and the Canadian Charter, to protect the Sheikhs' basic right to be free of life-threatening persecution. We, the undersigned, believe that Immigration Canada should accept the family's application for permanent residency on Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C). Their establishment in and contribution to their community of Park-Extension, and the immediate life-threatening danger they face if sent back to Pakistan both politically and by their ex-son in law, must be adequately recognized. We, the undersigned, believe that Immigration Canada would violate the Rights of the Child by not considering the primary interest and well-being of Canadian born Sabrina to live in her home country with her parents. We the undersigned, therefore urge immigration authorities to immediately give Seema and Sabir Sheikh temporary resident visas in order that they may return to Canada and along with their children, receive permanent residence on Humanitarian grounds.

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