A Pakistani couple who had lived in Montreal for several years has been deported to the United States, while their four children remain in Canada.

Sami Sheikh, 21, says his father, Sabir Mohammed Sheikh, and his mother, Seema, were processed at a U.S. border crossing on Tuesday morning. 

The Sheikhs had been refused a stay of deportation last week. Their children, including five-year-old Canadian-born Sabrina, are being allowed to stay.

The Sheikhs could have taken little Sabrina with them, but they made the difficult decision to leave her here in the care of a brother and sister.

"I never thought I'd be a parent at 21, but the responsbility has come on me and I guess I have to do what a parent has to do when a situation arises,'' said Sami Sheikh.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I'm really furious right now,'' he added. 

Status revoked

The couple's refugee status was revoked because they lied on their application about the length of time they lived in Dubai after leaving Pakistan.

They had been in Dubai for 20 years but told officials at the time they had been there for only three years.

The family acknowledge the mistake and blame it on fear and bad instructions from fellow immigrants.

Trudeau gets involved

The deportation went ahead despite pleas from MP Justin Trudeau and others who say it is devastating to their family.

In a letter written on Monday, Trudeau implored Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to "personally get involved and review their situation.''

"The Sheikh family of four children is well integrated in their Park Extension neighbourhood and are respected members of their community,'' Trudeau wrote.

"The uprooting of Sabir and Seema Sheikh will not only affect the entire family, but it will also have a considerable impact on their community.''

Tory response

Kenney spokesman Alykhan Velshi said the "legal authority'' to stay a deportation order does not rest with the immigration minister. He said the letter would be forwarded to Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan, who is responsible for the Canada Border Services Agency.

Van Loan spokesman Christopher McCluskey said the minister couldn't comment on specific cases.

"After an individual has exhausted all legal avenues it is the responsibility of the CBSA to see that the removal is carried out,'' he said in an email response similar to one offered days earlier.

"The removal of inadmissible individuals is key to maintaining the integrity of the immigration program, and to ensuring fairness for those who live in this country lawfully.''

Lawyer incensed

Stewart Istvanffy, lawyer for the Sheikhs, described the situation as "incredibly inhumane'' and believes the problem is systemic.

"I don't think the average Canadian really knows what's going on and how badly immigrants and refugees in this country are getting treated right now,'' he said.

- With files from The Canadian Press -