U.S granted temporary sanctuary to the Christian grandson of the co-founder of notorious Hamas terrorist group in West Bank until it is deemed he is safe to be backed in his homeland.
John Calvin, 25, left Canada in November 2015 to avoid deportation. He went into hiding until he reached the US where he was allowed to stay indefinitely after the Massachusetts court granted him a deferral of removal.
"I was in New York, and it's one of the greatest place on earth. I was trying to focus... and gradually trying to make it home, but it was still not home," said Calvin.
Calvin's grandfather is Said Bilal, co-founder of Hamas and leader of Muslim Brotherhood. But at age 16 he secretly converted to Christianity, and began distancing himself from the organization and relatives.
He almost lost his life when his father tried to stab him after learning of his new religion. He escaped through the window and went into hiding until he reached Canada.
He renounced Hamas and lived peacefully in Edmonton, Alberta until in November 2015 the Canadian court ruled to deport him back to the West Bank for security reason.
"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" the ruling said.
To avoid deportation he fled to the U.S
"I've literally been to hell and back, so it's going to take a while for me to rebuild my life. And if I am to use a biblical term, I was literally forced into exile from Edmonton" Calvin told VICE News.
He can be deported anytime if an immigration judge finds him safe to be backed at West Bank.
"My family, close and extended, has the right to retaliate. I'm pretty sure there's a whole procedure of torture" he said if the US government sends him back to the West Bank.
