A Christmas Gift of Safety for a Colombian Family in Quebec
Right now, there’s a powerful and emotional story coming out of Sherbrooke, Quebec, and it really feels like a reminder of what the holiday season can mean beyond gifts and decorations. A Colombian family, after years of fear, uncertainty, and legal waiting, has finally been granted protected person status in Canada, just in time for Christmas. For them, this decision wasn’t just paperwork. It was peace of mind.
The family, led by Andrés Cardoso Gutiérrez, had their lives completely reshaped by that ruling. Andrés is a trained journalist who was forced to flee Colombia after receiving death threats from criminal groups linked to his reporting. His work put him directly in danger, and staying in his home country was no longer an option. For a time, he had to hide inside his own house before making the painful decision to leave everything behind to protect his life and his family.
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What followed was a long and exhausting journey. Because applying for protection requires being physically present in Canada, normal visa routes weren’t an option. The family traveled from Colombia through Mexico and the United States, facing separation along the way. At one point, Andrés was detained in the U.S. and spent 17 days in prison, adding yet another layer of trauma to an already terrifying situation. Eventually, the family crossed into Canada via Roxham Road, a moment that changed everything.
They have now been living in Sherbrooke for three years, building a quiet life while waiting for a final decision. That wait has finally ended. With protected person status granted, the family can remain in Canada and begin the process toward permanent residency. As the holidays arrive, the weight they’ve been carrying is finally being lifted.
Today, Andrés works as a bus driver for the Sherbrooke transit system, while staying deeply connected to journalism through community writing. He speaks proudly about seeing his name in print again and receiving his journalist card from a Quebec community media association. His wife, Diana Marcela Parra Correa, has expressed deep gratitude for the welcome they received, saying Quebec became the place that gave their family protection when they needed it most.
For this family, Christmas is no longer overshadowed by fear of deportation or uncertainty. Instead, it’s being welcomed with relief, gratitude, and hope. After years of survival, they are finally allowed to breathe, together, in the home they’ve worked so hard to build.
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