Emergency - Help Perri Stay in Canada

This campaign is being transferred to a new gfm due to technical issues. All donations from this account will be acknowledged on the new gfm, and all have been received. Those funds are currently sitting in a separate account until enough is raided to retain the atty. Thanks so much for all your support! We'll keep you posted!

This was organized by Jason and Tobias (with Perri's permission). We've been friends with Perri for several years and want to do anything we can to help save them from deportation! Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Transparency is important to us!***

When we met online, I learned that Perri had experienced a traumatic childhood that left them alienated from their family. Soon afterward, Perri fell in love with a man who would sweep them away to Canada on a spousal visa in a whirlwind romance. I was happy to meet my friend in person for the first time.

But Perri’s relationship took a turn for the worse, and became as abusive as the life they had hoped to leave behind. When Perri made the decision to escape that relationship in the summer of 2020, it invalidated the spousal Visa but they were able to stay while their permanent application was being processed.

Perri had been questioning their gender for years, and while they’ve found acceptance and support in Canada, the political situation south of the border has left them afraid to return to the states.

So they applied for permanent residence on compassionate grounds as a survivor of domestic abuse who had developed strong ties in Canada, and in fear of returning to a country actively legislating against their right to simply exist, under the advice of an attorney provided by legal aid.

Since that application could take up to 2 yrs to be reviewed, they also applied for temporary work and residence visas, which were approved for 1 year. Perri continued to strengthen their ties to the community while waiting for the Residency review.

Perri felt safe enough to complete the application as a trans person. Strong ties to the queer community helped Perri to find their true self. Unfortunately, the application was rejected. Shockingly, the rejection came back full of mistakes and complete misgendering and the attorney left them high and dry.

Since the start of this all in 2018, Perri has made a home in Canada. They have found full-time employment where they've thrived, and connected with the queer community, feeling safe enough at last to come out and live their authentic life.

***In August of 2023, however, Perri was informed that the temporary permit expiri g on November 14 is more trucky to renew than they were previously informed, and the application to renew the temporary permit must be filed 60 days in advance, leaving Perri with a looming September 14 deadline.***

Perri will be eligible for permanent residence as a skilled worker in 10 months, but only if they continue to work and live in Canada until then. 

Their best chance to prevent deportation is to hire Mia Loebach, a local attorney that specializes in this type of case. They have prior experience with her and are confident their status will be saved with her help. 

But while Perri has been able to access legal aid for assistance in the past, they no longer qualify. They work very hard but still can barely make ends meet. All funds raised will be used to retain Mrs Loebach so they can ensure their permits are renewed.

I know these are challenging times, but Perri desperately needs your help to save the home they have made for themselves, and the safety and acceptance that they have found in Canada. Thank you for taking the time to read Perri’s story. If you cannot donate directly, please share with others.