#SAVERUFARO

Hi, my name is Marge, and I'm creating this fundraiser to help my daughter and her family.

Thursday, March 17th, was like any other morning. Rufaro was making breakfast as Ashley arrived home from her night shift, and Simba was running around with shopping bags full of his toys like he had just come back from the mall. Rufaro put Simba down for a nap and started working from home as he did every afternoon while Ashley was sleeping. Life may have been simple, but it was good.

Just after noon, the abrasive knocking at the door had Ashley out of sorts when an officer asked for Rufaro. Rufaro was arrested by immigration with no explanation of why or even the chance for a hug goodbye. After 6 years, their family was shattering in front of their eyes.

After 2 days of phone calls to lawyers and immigration by Ashley, some friends and other family members, Rufaro was released on a $5,000 bond. Ashley picked him up from an immigration holding center in Toronto.

This is when the real race begins.

Unknown to Rufaro his status in Canada had changed due to recent changes in immigration concerning deportation to Zimbabwe. His application and work visa had been rejected.

With Rufaro unable to work for the next several months and legal fees estimated at over $20,000, we hope that Rufaro will not only be able to get his Canadian citizenship, free to go back to school or work, and finally be free of worry!

Rufaro has made so many friends and created his own family here in Ontario while the rest of his family is in Texas, and as they also share this story publicly, we all ask so humbly for everyone's help.

Rufaro has been in Canada for 13 years, has two children here, Sofia (8) & Simba (2). He has never been involved in any criminal activity, and he has been working at the same office that many of you know as Protocol (Alorica) for the last 12 years. He has applied three different times with hopes of receiving a response from immigration only to have them denied.

Rufaro has talked of getting married to Ashley for quite some time and showing the intention of going back to school once his paperwork arrives.

With his family in the US, he will be waiting for the opportunity to visit them when he can travel again.

They are in a race against time, a battle against the government to make that happen. Like a terrifying game show with the clock counting down, only resulting in one of two ways, either he wins, or he moves back to Zimbabwe!

Alongside Rufaro’s lawyers, we have to win this case before the government finalizes his paperwork. He could have only months to work this out.

Any donation is greatly appreciated to help get through this tremendously scary and expensive time. Our family is so thankful for those able to be a part of this journey in any way.

For those wanting to donate in any other way or reach Rufaro and Ashley directly, please don't hesitate to contact them at [email redacted]

Thank you so much in advance for your support!

The Quiring family