It's a desperate plea to Immigration Canada from a woman dying of ALS and her son.
Julia Hidalgo-Aguilera, 78, has lost most of the use of her legs and says her arms are growing weaker.
Her son Hector Reyes-Hidalgo came from Chile four years ago to care for her.
He’s her only family member in Canada and her primary caregiver, but he is set to be deported back to his home country Tuesday.
They’re making an appeal on compassionate grounds to delay his deportation next week.
Even the most basic tasks are almost impossible for Hidalgo-Aguilera -- she has difficulty swallowing, moving and sometimes breathing.
Immigration Canada accepted a request for Hidalgo-Aguilera to sponsor her son's immigration, but Reyes-Hidalgo was rejected in his bid to obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate, which he needs if he wants to live in Quebec.
So next week, he faces deportation.
“I'm thinking of my mother more than of me. I'm hoping for a solution soon,” he said.
Reyes-Hidalgo can contest Immigration Quebec’s decision in October, but without a stay of deportation from Immigration Canada, he won’t have a chance to plead his case.
That could prove to be devastating for his mother physically, emotionally and financially.
“I help pay the rent and pay a lot of things to maintain the house,” he said.
Letters of support have been written by doctors and politicians, including the leader of the official opposition Thomas Mulcair.
“Forcing Hector to leave his mother's side when she is in such a vulnerable and precarious state seems unnecessary and likely to cause additional suffering,” the letter reads.
Mother and son are grateful for the support and don't want to think of the alternative, but it is on their minds.
Without a reprieve from Immigration Canada, Tuesday could be Reyes-Hidalgo's last day by this mother's side.
“So it's something not only physical but mentally I am sick thinking about how I am going to be alone after he leaves,” she said.
