Couple Fights to Become Canadian Citizens

A Filipino couple was refused permanent residence in Canada because of their deaf son. Ronilo Perez is an engineer with four children, one of whom has cochlear implants. The boy, Carlos, was diagnosed as profoundly deaf after the family arrived in Canada. Even though his doctor and school verified he would not be a financial burden on the state, the Canadian consulate rejected the Perez application for permanent residency. The family appealed the ruling and the Federal Court of Canada has reversed the officer's initial decision. The justices found Carlos' assessment was based on him being a member of a particular class of people, the deaf, rather than on him as an individual.