Citizenship rule changes ensnare Ontario family

A reminder that the variety of peoples’ lives and the desire for simple rules (limiting passing on citizenship to the first generation born abroad) can result in cases like this (most countries that have similar limits, if memory serves me correctly, have more flexibility than the Canadian approach):

At the root of their problems is the fact that Compton was born in Scotland, where his parents were living while in university. He was brought to Canada when he was five months old and lived in the country until his early 30s.

A teacher by profession, Compton then got a job at an international school and moved to Lima, where he met his Peruvian wife, Paola Moscoso Castillo de Compton.

His first son was born in Peru and automatically became a Canadian citizen. However, his second son, was born just months after the new rules came into effect. The changes mean Mateo, 5, is not a Canadian, even though his older brother Stephanoe, 8, is.

The new rules were part of legislation that solved the problems of thousands whose citizenship had been taken away by outdated legal provisions.’

However, at the same time the government said they were protecting the value of Canadian statehood by ensuring citizenship couldn’t be passed on from generation to generation of those living outside Canada.

The changes made Compton feel like a second-class Canadian. He didn’t even find out about the new rules until he tried to apply for a Canadian passport for his son in 2010 and was denied.

“This is an injustice,” he said. “This could happen to any Canadian.”

The situation has only worsened over time. After trying to deal with the matter from Peru, Compton returned to Ontario with his family in February last year.

He and his older son entered the country as Canadians, but Mateo, for whom he had to obtain a Peruvian passport, and Compton’s wife came in on visitor visas.

via Citizenship rule changes ensnare Ontario family – Toronto – CBC News.