Alvaro wins right to stay in Canada

by Amelia Murphy-Beaudoin

Alvaro Orozco, a Queer artist from Nicaragua, was freed from detention in Toronto on June 1, one day before his deportation date.

Immigration officials accepted Orozco’s humanitarian and compassionate grounds application and he has been granted permanent resident status.

Orozco left Nicaragua six years ago to flee persecution at a time when homosexuality was a criminal offence in Nicaragua; it was just legalized three years ago.

His plight mobilized communities around an exploitive, unjust immigration system. For weeks meetings were held, rallies were organized and petitions were collected in support of Alvaro.

“I am free now,” Alvaro said after his release. “I feel safe. I finally belong somewhere. There are no more struggles. I do not have to hide anymore.”