An Edmonton-born man, Curtis Wright, has returned to Canada after spending nine months in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention in Texas. Wright, 40, faced hurdles due to a past misdemeanor drug possession charge from when he was 17 years old. His detention was a result of this charge, and despite efforts to stay in the U.S. to be with his two young sons, aged 8 and 11, he was ultimately deported to Canada in mid-August.
In an interview with Edmonton AM, Wright shared his experiences of the challenges he encountered during his detention in the U.S. The process began with a routine secondary screening upon his return from Mexico, where he was questioned about the past charge. Subsequently, he was detained and faced a lengthy legal battle that involved numerous court date delays and ultimately led to his deportation to Canada.
Wright highlighted the emotional toll of being separated from his children and the extensive efforts made by various individuals, including senators and state representatives, to secure his release. Despite exhausting all options to remain in the U.S., Wright decided to be deported to Canada after eight months in detention.
Reflecting on his future, Wright expressed his plans to resume his career in the oil and gas industry, with the support of his employer who is establishing a Canadian division for him. He looks forward to reuniting with his family in Edmonton and starting a new chapter in his life back in his home country.