Deportation reprieve for 2 Filipino men

Temporary reprieves have been won for two Filipino men facing deportation, says Alex Furlong, president of the Yukon Federation of Labour.

Furlong has asked Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to set aside the deportation order for Francis Dura.

A deportation hearing for Renaldo Verdeflor that was scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed for at least a month, Furlong said.

Verdeflor has been denied legal aid, so Furlong has agreed to represent him at the hearing.

"I have a background in labour relations and appearing before very similar type hearings," he said. "The only thing different for me is the Immigration Act, but it's pretty clear what the act says."

Dura, a Filipino man who has been living in Whitehorse, was convicted Monday of violating his foreign work permit and ordered deported.

Verdeflor faces the same charge.

Dura has said he unwittingly broke the law because he didn't understand the rules governing his employment. Hehad beenhired for a job in Calgary but never reported for work.