The Christian grandson of the founder of Hamas has won sanctuary in the United States, after Canada threatened to deport him to the West Bank, according to VICE news.
John Calvin, 25, was born in Palestine to the son of Hamas co-founder and Muslim Brotherhood leader Said Bilal. He fled to Canada when he was 19, after converting to Christianity, and has renounced the militant organisation.
In November 2015 a Canadian court decided to deport him from Edmonton Alberta back to the West Bank, which led to Calvin fleeing to the US.
That was eight months ago, and he was put on immigration hold until March, when he was released. Last month it was announced he is able to stay in the US indefinitely, due to a deferral of removal granted to him by a Massachusetts immigration court.
"I've literally been to hell and back, so it's going to take a while for me to rebuild my life," Calvin told VICE News in his first public statements since learning of his release.
He does not have permanent immigration status and can be deported if an immigration judge finds he is unlikely to be tortured if he returned to the West Bank.
"I'm in New York, and it's one of the greatest places on earth. I'm trying to focus... and gradually trying to make it home, but it's still not home," said Calvin.
"To use a biblical term, I was literally forced into exile from Edmonton."
In Canada, immigration officials found there were reasonable grounds to believe he was an active member of Hamas. A report with the verdict stated: "Having been indoctrinated by family does not excuse membership in a terrorist organization... Growing up as a 'Son of Hamas' does not relieve the respondent from responsibility for his actions."
However, Calvin insists he has not been involved in the organisation since he was 16, when he converted to Christianity – a move that almost cost him his life. Upon discovering his conversion, Calvin's father tried to stab him. He jumped out of a window and went into hiding. A number of threats on his life followed.
If he returns to the West Bank, he said: "My family, close and extended, has the right to retaliate. I'm pretty sure there's a whole procedure of torture".
Although he will never be able to apply for a green card in the US, he will be able to obtain a work permit and is currently in contact with New York University about potentially studying there next year.
