Zain Haq, a 24-year-old Pakistani-born climate activist, finds himself on a nearly 14-hour flight to Pakistan after being deported from Canada, leaving behind his life and wife, Sophia Papp, who had fought relentlessly to secure his stay. Despite the emotional turmoil, Haq expressed calmness about his circumstances, stating, "I'm feeling at peace with my fate. I'm looking forward to whatever the next years are (going to) look like."
The deportation on January 26, 2025, followed the expiration of Haq's temporary residency permit and the failure of his wife's attempt to sponsor him for permanent residency. The couple, who had carved out their lives together in Vancouver, now face uncertain futures apart. Haq's activism had led to multiple arrests during climate protests, including his role as co-founder of the group Save Old Growth.
Initially arriving in Canada on a student visa, Haq pleaded guilty to multiple mischief charges stemming from protests against government policies perceived to be harmful to the environment. He was granted temporary residency last spring, but the permit expired last October after his spousal application was dismissed amid complications. A last-ditch attempt to halt his deportation through ministerial intervention failed, and neither Immigration Minister Marc Miller nor Public Safety Minister David McGuinty stepped in to prevent the removal.
"There was a lot of shady stuff... things were not very transparent," reflected Papp, who described her emotional rollercoaster of hope and despair as they awaited news from the government. After parting ways with her husband the previous night, she had been desperate for any signs of reprieve. Papp called the process horrific, noting they were left to "essentially beg" for the Immigration Minister’s intervention.
Papp’s plans now include applying for her own visa to join Haq in Pakistan, as the couple remains hopeful about future opportunities to return to Canada. “I feel really let down by my home in Canada,” she remarked, stressing Haq’s deep connection to Canadian society and his contributions toward climate activism.
Haq's story resonates with broader discussions about immigration and climate advocacy, particularly the challenges faced by activists who stand up for environmental reform. His wife argues it is unreasonable to deport someone committed to positive change—a sentiment echoed by supporters who believe the actions against Haq pose threats to peaceful dissent.
Heartened by supportive letters from friends and community members, Haq and Papp plan to start their application process anew from Pakistan, which could take years to finally resolve. The bureaucratic hurdles they faced highlighted the fragility of immigration processes intertwined with activism. During the entire ordeal, Haq remained resolute, stating, "This whole struggle is so much bigger than the actions of any individual [immigration] officers. We're talking about the climate crisis, which affects all of us, and our own marriage and future, which is what I am focused on.”
Despite the hurdles, Haq is determined to maintain their bond, saying, “We’ll have to start figuring out a new normal, and we are committed to staying together,” echoing sentiments of hope as Papp contemplates traveling to Pakistan soon. Their future remains uncertain, but their resolve to advocate for the climate crisis continues, regardless of geographical boundaries.