Roman Slepcsik has lived in Canada for almost three decades. Federal Court records show he arrived from the Czech Republic in 1997 after fleeing persecution as a Roma man, was recognized as a refugee the following year and became a permanent resident in 1999.

He built a life in Canada. Slepcsik worked in Ontario’s construction industry for more than two decades. His wife and two daughters joined him in Canada, his daughters are Canadian citizens and he has grandchildren in Canada.

Slepcsik has said⁠ that, as a refugee claimant, he was ineligible for English classes and later struggled to find time to study while working long hours. He planned to apply for citizenship at 55, when applicants are no longer required to prove their language skills or take the citizenship test⁠, but by then proceedings to end his refugee protection had already begun.

So now, at 58, he is facing removal from the country in which he has spent most of his adult life.

His case asks what we mean when we call immigration status “permanent,” and whether the passage of time should change how we understand belonging.

When the past remains legally present

After becoming a permanent resident, Slepcsik travelled repeatedly to the Czech Republic and obtained or renewed Czech passports. According to recent reporting by the Toronto Star, some trips were connected to family obligations, including helping his........

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