Montreal Woman Wins Work Permit After Deportation Fight, Mexico Trip

A Montreal woman who faced deportation to Mexico has been granted a work permit that will allow her to stay and work in Canada while she continues her immigration case, officials confirmed this week. The decision comes after months of legal challenges and widespread public support from community advocates who argued that her removal would cause undue hardship for her and her family.

The woman, identified as Mónica Colín Silva, had been fighting federal immigration decisions that ordered her return to Mexico despite her long-standing ties to Canada. Ms. Silva came to Canada years ago and built a life in Montreal, including establishing deep community connections and forming personal relationships that supporters say make her case compelling. Her struggle drew attention from advocacy groups, neighbours and local supporters, who highlighted both her contributions to the community and the potential disruption her deportation would cause.

Federal immigration authorities said the work permit was issued under provisions that allow individuals who have filed ongoing applications or appeals to obtain temporary status while those matters are resolved. Lawyers involved in Ms. Silva’s case said the ruling provides her with the right to work legally in the province of Quebec and to continue building her life in Montreal. The permit will remain valid as her legal challenges proceed in the immigration system’s appeals process.

Community advocates welcomed the decision as a win for fairness and compassion in immigration policy. Supporters have argued that Ms. Silva’s connections to her workplace, her cultural integration and her family ties in Canada all weighed in favour of granting her temporary status. Many in Montreal’s diverse communities rallied behind her cause, citing broader concerns about how immigration law affects families and individuals with deep local roots yet uncertain legal status.

The federal government did not provide specific details about the case’s legal merits, citing privacy and procedural safeguards, but said that immigration officers followed the law in issuing the work permit and that Ms. Silva remains subject to standard processes and requirements while her appeals continue.

Immigration lawyers say that cases like Ms. Silva’s illustrate the complex nature of Canada’s immigration system, where individuals may seek temporary authorizations while challenging removal orders — a process that can take months or even years. They emphasise that securing work permits in such contexts can provide stability but does not guarantee eventual permanent residency.

Ms. Silva’s case is expected to continue through the courts as she and her legal team pursue further relief from deportation orders. Meanwhile, the work permit gives her space to remain in Canada, contribute to the local economy and participate in the community she has called home for years.