An individual born in Edmonton and raised in the United States, Curtis Wright, has returned to Canada after spending nine months in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention in Texas. Wright, a U.S. permanent resident, was detained due to a past misdemeanor drug possession charge from when he was 17 years old.

Motivated by the desire to be with his young sons in Texas, aged 8 and 11, Wright fought to remain in the U.S. However, he was eventually deported back to Canada in mid-August. Currently residing in Kelowna, B.C., with his fiancée and their two-year-old daughter, Wright recently shared his challenging detention experience in an interview.

Upon returning to Texas from a business trip to Mexico, Wright was detained by immigration officials who questioned him about his prior drug possession charge. Subsequently, he was taken into federal custody and faced a lengthy legal process with court dates continuously postponed.

Despite efforts to fight his case and seek release, including appeals and media attention, Wright eventually made the difficult decision to accept deportation to Canada for the sake of his family. Now back in Canada, he plans to resume his career in the oil and gas industry, with support from his employer who will establish a Canadian division for him to lead and grow.

Reflecting on his detention experience, Wright described poor living conditions, mistreatment by officers, and the psychological toll of being detained. Despite the challenges faced, he remains grateful for the support of his loved ones and looks forward to rebuilding his life in Canada.