Over 150 North Korean refugees living in Canada are at risk of being deported to South Korea. Despite advocating a welcoming stance towards refugees, Canada’s tone towards those from North Korean descent is strikingly different.

The reason? Because they were not completely honest when requesting asylum. Some came from China and were told by Chinese immigration officials to lie and change certain details in order for them to be granted asylum in Canada. Others had lived in South Korea for some years but left that part out because they feared they wouldn’t be granted asylum if they claimed they were coming from a peaceful country.

Al Jazeera published a report which asserts that, since 2013, Canada has deported nearly 2,000 North Korean Refugees. Since then, over 150 North Korean refugees living in Canada have received letters stating that there were issues with their residency applications. Canadian authorities argue that these refugees could easily acquire South Korean citizenship and are unlikely to face death or torture there, which would make their relocation relatively smooth. However, the North Koreans strongly disagree.

Being deported to South Korea is equivalent to death, many argue. Despite feeling unwelcome and being treated badly, the refugees argue they would be killed by North Korean spies in South Korea. Besides their own lives being at risk, they fear for the safety of their families still living in the North as the Kim regime has a history of executing or torturing the families of those who have defected to another country. Their loved ones would thus either be killed or sent to labor camps and suffer for the rest of their lives.

As of 2016, there were 970 North Koreans living in Canada. However, many of these North Koreans came to Canada decades ago and have since had children who are Canadian citizens and have only known Canadian life. If the deportations were to take place, these young people would be separated from their parents who were born in North Korea. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), they do “not support facilitating the entry and resettlement of North Korean defectors into Canada.” Their main reason being that these refugees would easily be able to acquire citizenship in another country (South Korea) while other asylum seekers in Canada do not have such a safe “Plan B” option.

To many, such a stance coming from Canada is not only disappointing, but surprising. Since taking office, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has consistently emphasized the importance of helping refugees and for developed nations to keep their borders open to them. Just one year ago Trudeau tweeted that Canada would welcome anyone “fleeing persecution, terror & war.” So why doesn’t this apply to North Korean refugees? They flee their country in order to survive, to be able to eat, to be safe, to be able to be free. The moment they exit the country they and their families become targets to be eliminated by the North Korean regime.

To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada

 — @justintrudeau

If the North Koreans currently resident in Canada are deported, their lives will most likely become more difficult, uncomfortable, and dangerous. The fact that they will receive South Korean citizenship is not reason enough to deport them. North Koreans speak different Korean dialects from the South which means they are easily identifiable (which often leads to discrimination) and their official documentation will identify them as North Korean. They need to show these papers to potential employers and to receive multiple services; this means they are less likely to find a job or to be treated fairly by their peers.

Fleeing North Korea is no easy task and doing so effectively means putting your life and the life of your family and loved ones at serious risk. North Koreans go through immense lengths to flee the country, often having to cross deserts, mountains, and rivers. Many don’t survive; they are either shot by North Korean soldiers, deported back to North Korea (where they are executed or put in prison camps and tortured), or they die during the journey. Many end up working in China while North Korean women are often sold as brides to Chinese men or are forced into prostitution.

According to Human Rights Watch, “North Koreans are internationally recognized as refugees sur place — people who are refugees due to the risk of persecution upon return — who deserve protection regardless of why they left North Korea.” This risk of persecution goes beyond the borders of North Korea and extends into the South. If these people were to be sent to South Korea, there isn’t anyone who could ensure their safety.

The Canadian government has shown sympathy towards those facing persecution, therefore, they should remember their own stance and allow these North Koreans to stay. Because for these North Korean refugees, Canada has been the country that saved their lives. This country gave them a new beginning and a place they could finally call home. It would be a shame if that same country would now take all of that away.

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North Korean refugees at risk of being deported from Canada was originally published in The Peninsula Report on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.