A Salvadoran refugee who admitted to gang killings in his home country will stay behind bars for another 30 days or until a judicial review of a refugee board decision is completed in Federal Court.
Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) member Otto Nupponen ordered an adjournment in the detention review hearing of Jose Francisco Cardoza Quinteros. It will adjourn to June 8 or until a review of the original decision allowing him to stay in Canada as a refugee.
Cardoza Quinteros came to the Lower Mainland in September and admitted his five-year membership in the El Salvadoran gang Mara Salvatrucha during an interview with Canada Border Services Agency.
He said he’d been convicted of armed robbery and gave a detailed statement about the gang and his involvement in multiple acts of violence.
Cardoza Quinteros’ minister, Rev. Roberto Vasquez Alas, said the 30-year-old is a “good guy” who like many immigrants “came here to rebuild his life.”
Cardoza Quinteros claims his gang will kill him if he returns to El Salvador.
