A mother and daughter in Halifax, facing deportation due to a clerical error, have been allowed to remain in Canada after weeks of uncertainty. Diana Calderón, originally from Peru, moved to Canada in 2022. She was shocked to learn last month that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had rejected her work permit application. This decision forced her out of her job and prevented her 14-year-old daughter from starting school.

The IRCC's rejection letter stated that Calderón's employer, Nova Scotia Health, failed to submit the required documentation and a $230 compliance fee. Calderón expressed her disbelief, saying, "I almost fainted. I wasn't expecting that. This is not a very complicated permit once you have your job in place."

As a result of the rejection, Calderón had to stop working as a sourcing manager for the health authority's supply chain department. She began relying on her savings to support herself and her daughter. Since her daughter's study permit is linked to Calderón's work permit, the teenager was unable to start Grade 9 with her peers this month.

The IRCC letter indicated that Calderón had two options: pay several thousand dollars to restart the work permit process or leave Canada by November. "When I received the letter of rejection, I was like, this can't be happening," Calderón said.

The situation prompted Nova Scotia Health to publicly address the issue, confirming that it had submitted the necessary paperwork and payment to IRCC on December 12, 2024. On Monday, in response to inquiries, IRCC announced it had reversed its initial decision. A spokesperson stated, "A reconsideration request was received on Sept. 15, 2025, and the case was reopened. The application is now approved."

While IRCC noted the reconsideration request was received on Monday, Nova Scotia Health reported that it had been appealing to the department and federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab for weeks without a response. Calderón and her lawyer also attempted to contact IRCC, confirming that the required documents were submitted but not attached to her file.

Calderón expressed her hope that the government would rectify the error, allowing her to continue contributing to the community she loves. She moved to Canada seeking a safer future for her daughter, stating, "It's a bit dangerous for women. I didn't want her to grow up in a complicated environment like that."

IRCC confirmed on Monday that Calderón's work permit has been renewed for two years. Before the decision was made, Nova Scotia Health spokesperson Jennifer Lewandowski remarked on the toll the ordeal had taken on the family. "Diana is a hard-working member of our team, she's making important contributions to the work here," she said. "The situation has put tremendous stress on one of our own, on herself and her daughter."