A youth mental health worker in British Columbia was arrested and ordered to leave Canada after his work permit was cancelled due to a misrepresentation claim, despite his belief that he had followed all immigration procedures.
Work Permit Cancellation
Dillon Nolan, an Irish national, married his partner, Dylan Fox, on Valentine’s Day and had been working as a social worker specializing in youth mental health at B.C. Children’s Hospital since 2022. He applied for his most recent work permit in January 2024.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Nolan’s work permit was re-examined due to concerns he was working in a field other than social work, a claim Nolan disputes. A letter dated Dec. 30, 2024, requesting documentation was sent by mail but Nolan says he never received it. IRCC records indicate the letter was subsequently “cancelled.”
A month later, IRCC sent another letter, this time to an address in Dublin, informing Nolan he was inadmissible to Canada for five years for misrepresenting himself. Nolan also did not receive this letter, but did receive emails confirming the validity of his biometric information.
Unexpected Arrest and Detention
Nolan continued working at B.C. Children’s Hospital, unaware his work permit had been cancelled. In late April, he received an invitation from the Province of B.C. to apply for permanent residence. He applied for permanent residence in mid-June and a bridging permit to maintain his status while awaiting a decision.
In early February, Nolan discovered his permanent residence application had been refused due to the previous finding of misrepresentation. On Feb. 20, he received notice his work permit application was also refused and was advised to leave the country. Two weeks later, on Feb. 22, Nolan was arrested and handcuffed by Canada Border Services Agency and Vancouver Police Department officers outside a music venue.
He was detained for just under two days in an immigration detention centre in Surrey, where he says he was constantly monitored, even while showering and sleeping, and was not provided with his eyeglasses or a change of clothes brought by his husband.
Nolan’s lawyer, Michael McDonald, expressed concern over his client’s treatment, stating it “really did shake my faith in the foundation of rule of law.”
The Canada Border Services Agency stated it could not comment on the specifics of Nolan’s detention due to privacy concerns, but confirmed that visa overstay and misrepresentation can result in a removal order.
Impact on Care
Nolan’s supervisors at B.C. Children’s Hospital expressed concern about the impact of his sudden departure, particularly as they had hoped he would support youth in Tumbler Ridge following February’s mass shooting. Five letters of support from hospital staff described Nolan as a highly valued member of the team.
Nolan has resigned from his position and is scheduled to return to Ireland on Monday. He stated he is plagued by nightmares and fears further intervention from border guards, and is unsure if he could return to Canada in the future.
IRCC did not respond to CBC’s request for comment by deadline.
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