Problem
Alejandro comes into your office for a consultation. He explains to you that he immigrated to Canada with his mother when he was 6 years old. At age 26, he was charged with an indictable offence that carries with it a 3-year maximum penalty. Although Alejandro received only a 6-month sentence, the minister's delegate issued him with a removal order based on his criminal inadmissibility.
Alejandro tells you that this was his first offence and he is deeply sorry for it. He has lived in Canada almost his entire life and has nothing to return to in his native Chile.
Furthermore, Alejandro's mother has a progressing disease of muscular dystrophy and is unable to work. She relies on Alejandro for financial and emotional support because he is her only child. Alejandro is desperately seeking to stay in Canada.
• If you were representing Alejandro in this matter, what would be the first step that you would take to prevent his removal from Canada?