The saying, “one man’s food is another man’s poison,” was very common in my younger days in Nigeria. It was an instant answer to a friend questioning why you were going out with a particular boy or girl. It was the silent response to your parents questioning your career choice, especially when it differed from the career path chosen by your peers. It was the answer to many questions about personal choices. Perhaps the saying is still often used today.
As an immigration lawyer, I have come across many people from different parts of the world with varying immigration issues over the years. Let me share with my readers, the stories of a few people that came to see me last week.
On Sunday, I had gone to pick a friend up at the airport. As I entered the arrival hall, two individuals probably in their 20s came rushing to me. “Hello Mr. JB. It’s been a while, sir,” they said. I could not recognize them, and they knew. “We are A and D, the children of X, whom you assisted in their refugee claim 15 years ago because of the abuse we suffered in our country. I am now an accountant, and my sister is a teacher. Thank God we left our country for Canada for protection. Our mom is doing well, and we are happy. Thank you, sir, for helping us.”
On Monday, a man in his 60s had been referred to me because he was facing deportation. He had arrived in Canada seven years prior and had made a refugee claim, which was not successful. As I asked him to narrate his immigration story, he started crying. “I regret leaving my country. I had a good job, and my family and I were doing well. I sold my properties and spent all my savings to come here. Since coming here, I have not had any happiness. I had to take on menial jobs and spent a lot on legal fees with no positive result. I don’t sleep well. I now have all kinds of medical issues: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, renal issues, kidney issues, and others. I am not happy here. Yet, I don’t want to return to my country as I have nothing to go back to. It is a shameful thing, although I miss my wife and children back home.”
On Tuesday, as I entered my office, my assistant informed me that a former client was at the reception. I asked her to let her in. Then came Mrs. T, a client who landed in Canada as a permanent resident five years prior. Her smile could melt a heart. “I just want to thank you and your staff, sir, for your professional help. This country has been a blessing to us. We are now Canadian citizens. We will be buying our home soon and will bring the transaction to your office to handle for us. My husband is doing well, and our children are good too. One is a nurse, and the other is a plumber. In our country, we suffered. Salaries were not paid on time. Our first child had no employment for years after graduation. No electricity. No pipe-borne water. Our children could not attend public schools. Everything changed for good when we got here. Ah! God bless you and Canada, sir.”
On Wednesday, I received a call from a distressed mother whose son, that came to Canada to study four years earlier, had lost his immigration status and has been using drugs. She asked repeatedly, “Why did I make the mistake of allowing him to leave home? At least in our country, things were not too bad for us. We are not doing badly in our country.”
On Thursday, another call came from a father who informed me that he would be in Canada later in the month for his daughter’s graduation. He was full of prayers for Canada and wished his country could pay more attention to education and the welfare of young people.
For the rest of the week, different calls came in from those in their various countries desperate to come to Canada. “Once I get to Canada, my problems will be solved,” they would say. They dream of good public schools, access to free public health, secured environment, access to opportunities and many more. On the other hand, some in Canada complain of high taxes, debts, separation from loved ones, neglect, loneliness, racism, disrespect, broken relationships and many more. They yearn to return to their home countries.
The experiences of immigrants truly differ, reinforcing the saying that one man’s food is another man’s poison. For some, immigration brings new opportunities and happiness, while for others, it leads to regret and hardship. The diversity of experiences underscores that what works wonderfully for one person may not work at all for another.
NB: Johnson Babalola, a Canada based lawyer, leadership consultant and corporate emcee, is a public affairs analyst.
