Roma family living in Toronto church exhausted from living in exile

The six-year-old daughter of a Roma couple has spent more than one-third her lifeata Toronto church where her family lives in exile.

JozsefPusumaandTimeaDaroczi,and their daughter, Viktoria, also known as Lulu," fled Hungary in 2009 following what they describe as an attack because of theirRomaethnicity.

Pusama worked as a political activist and researcher for Viktoria Mohacsi a prominent Roma and former member of the European Parliament.

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He said his activism and ethnicity made Hungary a very, very dangerous place for him and his family.

Their case was heard in 2010 and was denied by the Immigration and Refugee Board.

For more than two years,the family has livedata Toronto church. Their days consist of reading, doing tasks around the church and trying to keep busy, but they are exhausted from a life of exile and feararrestif they go outside.

[Lulu] is six years old and she knows everything because she is a very smart girl,Pusumatold CBCs Matt GallowayTuesdayon InternationalRomaDay a day that celebratesRomaculture and traditions with a focustheon drawing attention to discrimination directedatRomacommunities.

Pusamasays that his daughter isnt able to go toschool,but she attends daily dance classes at the church and meets friends that way.Yet, she always asks why their entire life must take place inside that building.

Its a very hard time for me because my daughter always has questions, why do we live in a church? Why cant we go outside?

He says that he has to tell his daughter that they are waiting in the church because Canada is a safe country, whereas Hungary for their family is not.

However, the Canadian government disagrees.

Lawyer could haveruined chances

Canada lists Hungary as a safe country, which has been making it extremely difficult forRomapeople to gain refugee status despite claims of ethnic discrimination and safety concerns.

Pusamasays beingRomaand particularly being a notedRomaactivist has made him the target of violence and fears for his familys safety should they be forced to go back to Hungary.

According to his website, the family was attacked by four members of the Hungarian Guard in July 2009.

Although their case was heard and denied Mary JoLeddy, founder of Romero House, a home for refugees says the unfair particulars of this case are disturbing and compelling.

The family was represented by aViktorHohots, a Toronto immigration lawyer now at the centre of disciplinary proceedings at the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Pusama is one of more than a dozen complainants who allege that Hohots offered consulting services to assist them through the refugee process here in Canada, but then filed inaccurate and incomplete work therefore severely impairing their chances of making a successful refugee claim.

Leddysays that someRomacases are still considered for refugee status and thatPusamasactivism and work forRomarights would make him and his family good candidates, but she says thatHohotscontributed to ruining their chance.

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They had the misfortune of having a lawyer that has now been charged with misconduct by the law society, she said.

The lawyer never showed up and had never submitted the documentation of their activism.

Leddyand others who have submitted apetitiontochange.orgare requesting that the Minister of Immigration grant the family temporary resident status.

It would allow them to stay in the country pending the outcome of the law society complaint against the lawyer, she said. That would allow them to have a fair refugee hearing and I think all they are asking for is fairness.