A Canadian federal court has blocked the deportation of Jagjit Singh, an Indian national, after ruling that his removal would cause “irreparable harm” to his Canadian wife, who lives with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Singh, who arrived in Canada in 2021 on a temporary resident visa, had initially filed a refugee claim before withdrawing it following his marriage to a Canadian citizen, identified as LB. While his permanent residency application was still under review, the Canada Border Services Agency began deportation proceedings, prompting Singh to challenge the move in court.
Justice Avvy Yao-Yao Go, presiding over the case, found that Singh’s presence was vital to his wife’s ability to cope with daily life. Evidence presented showed that LB’s ADHD significantly impacts her time management, stress levels, and ability to stay on top of her medication schedule. The court determined that Singh provides essential emotional support and stability, as well as the structure she requires to function day-to-day.
The ruling has sparked heated debate. Critics online questioned whether ADHD should be grounds for blocking deportation, with some asking how LB managed prior to her marriage and others accusing the court of undermining the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
Justice Go, herself an immigrant from Hong Kong and a former director of the Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, has not commented on the backlash. However, the case has reignited discussion about the role health conditions and caregiving responsibilities should play in immigration decisions, raising questions about where the line should be drawn between compassion and policy.