An individual who was born in Edmonton, spent a significant portion of his life in the United States and was recently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas has returned to Canada. Curtis Wright, 40, a U.S. permanent resident, was held by ICE for nine months following his return from a trip to Mexico. The detention was linked to a minor drug possession charge from his teenage years.

Motivated by the desire to remain close to his two young sons in Texas, aged 8 and 11, Wright fought to stay in the U.S. However, he was eventually deported back to Canada in mid-August. Currently residing temporarily in Kelowna, B.C., at his parents’ home with his fiancée and their young daughter, Wright recently recounted his ordeal in an interview with Edmonton AM.

During his return from Mexico, Wright was flagged for the past drug possession charge, leading to his detention. Despite having crossed the U.S. border numerous times previously without issue, he found himself facing a prolonged legal battle with limited options for release due to his detainment status.

After enduring months of delays and legal setbacks, including multiple court date postponements, Wright eventually decided to accept deportation to Canada. His decision was influenced by the uncertain timeline of ongoing legal proceedings and the impact on his family. Now back in Canada, Wright plans to resume his career in the oil and gas industry, leveraging his connections in Edmonton and the support of his employer to rebuild his life.