I was listening to the six o’clock news the other night and the discussion about the deportation of the Russian KGB officer from the lower mainland was again the topic. The higher courts have upheld the deportation decision and Mikhail Lennikov must return to his country of birth.

I have absolutely no idea what kind of person he is or what he was involved in before immigrating, but there had to be some reason for the deportation and it should not matter how long one has lived a good life in Canada and kept their nose clean. The issue I have is not with this individual or what the reason for the deportation, because, as I said, I have no idea. My issue is with the system.

First there must have been some sort of compelling evidence to even bring the name to the attention of immigration. I happen to think there are a number of people who need to be looked into and some are not even here legally, have committed crimes in Canada, and are not deported.

I also understand the need for an appeal system in some cases to ensure we do not hang innocent people, so to speak.

The big issue here is where these individuals have been allowed to stay. This is not the first time there has been refuge in one of our religious dwellings. Where does it say that any place of worship is above the laws of the land? Are they allowed to harbor Canadian criminals as well? Should these places, their preachers, pastors, gurus or maybe the congregation be held in contempt of court for harboring a criminal?

Are we suggesting that one should be allowed to come from other countries being murderers, pedophiles or whatever, and as long as one is a model citizen in Canada they should not be punished for their crimes? Or better yet, does that mean one of us should be allowed to go to another country and create a crime and then come home and be a model citizen with no consequences?

No wonder the crime in this country is running rampant, and is becoming more and more a destination of crooks.