A pair residing in Cawston, British Columbia, is encountering obstacles due to bureaucratic procedures preventing their return to Canada.
Jim Bodden expressed, ““Feeling like a prisoner when you are unable to return home from an undesired location is truly distressing.”
Jim and Melissa Bodden find themselves in Cancun, Mexico, eagerly anticipating approval to fly back to Canada with their recently adopted children.
“We are overwhelmed with emotions – anger, frustration, and stress. The waiting is incredibly stressful,” shared Melissa.
Four children were adopted by the couple in Mexico six months ago, but they are unable to bring them home until Immigration Canada grants the children their visas.
“Despite having submitted all necessary documents, we remain stranded in limbo without any updates,” Melissa lamented.
The Boddens highlighted their frustration, having adhered to the rigorous Hague Convention process designed to safeguard children in international adoptions.
“We followed all legal and safe procedures. Once we reach the Immigration Canada phase, the process should be expedited,” Jim emphasized.
The family of six has been moving between short-term rentals in Mexico, uncertain about the duration of their stay, while experiencing financial setbacks on their farm back home.
“Our farming income has been severely impacted this year, coupled with the inability to produce goods for sale due to our absence,” Jim explained.
Immigration Canada declined to comment on specific cases citing privacy laws.
In correspondence with Global News, it indicated, ‘The processing of citizenship grant applications for adopted persons under 5.1 of the Citizenship Act occurs in two stages.”
Stage 1 confirms the Canadian citizenship of at least one adoptive parent eligible to pass down citizenship to the adopted individual(s). The current processing timeline for Stage 1 is about seven months with complete document submission.
Stage 2 involves assessing whether the adoption aligns with section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act, ensuring compliance with both Canadian and foreign laws, the child’s best interests, and authentic parent-child relationships. Stage 2 processing typically spans two years or more.
“The situation where Canadian citizens are stranded abroad due to delays in approving their legally adopted children, despite BC’s endorsement of the adoption, is unacceptable,” Melissa criticized.
The couple revealed that they have enlisted the support of three attorneys to expedite their case.
