US army deserter Jeremy Hinzman ordered deported from Canada

TORONTO — One of the first U.S. Army deserters from Iraq to seek refugee status in Canada has been ordered deported.

Jeremy Hinzman deserted the Army in 2004 after learning his unit was to go to Iraq. He refused to participate in what he calls an immoral and illegal war.

Hinzman fled to Canada with his wife and son and sought refugee status.

The Canadian Border Services agency on Wednesday ordered him out of the country by Sept. 23.

The Immigration and Refugee Board rejected his claim in 2005 and the Federal Court of Appeal held that he wouldn’t face any serious punishment if returned to the United States.

Hinzman took his pleas to the Supreme Court of Canada, which also refused to hear the case.

He says he’s disappointed by Wednesday’s decision but is not ashamed of his decision to flee to Canada.

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