Ottawa born man still fighting deportation order
Posted Sep 10, 2014 05:41:16 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA — A man born in Ottawa has faced another setback in his bid to fight a deportation order.
The federal government claimed Deepan Budlakoti’s parents worked for the Indian High Commission when he was born in Ottawa, and therefore he is not a Canadian citizen.
Budlakoti claims his parents stopped working as diplomats in June 1989 and were working for a Canadian doctor when he was born in October of the same year, making him Canadian.
The 24-year-old was convicted of weapons charges in 2011, beginning the deportation process.
Federal Court Justice Michael Phelan ruled Tuesday against Budlakoti.
He told 1310News he was issued a Canadian passport and an Ontario birth certificate and paid taxes.
“They acknowledged the fact I was a citizen for 21 years” said Budlakoti, “After 21 years they said I’m not a citizen.”
He says India has declared he is not a citizen of that country, and he is now stateless.
He has 30 days to file an appeal which he says will be done, adding he feels confident moving forward.
