Anneliese Demos (Neufeld), formerly from Steinbach, says she has been told her Canadian citizenship is not valid adding now, at 39-years-old, she fears deportation.

Demos says she moved from Paraguay to Steinbach with her family in 1980 when she was two-years-old and this is the fourth instance where she has had to apply for or prove her citizenship.

"When we were in foster care the system made me and my sister get new citizenship cards," notes Demos. "In 2012, after I beat cancer, I wanted to get my passport and see the world. I went to the passport office with my application and the clerk there told me that there might be an issue because of my birth year."

She adds the application was sent in to be processed but returned stating Demos had a citizenship issue. Demos says she then contacted the citizenship office and they sent her an application to fill out for a citizenship certificate.

"I proceeded to fill it in, paid the $75 and sent it in. Four months later I got a new certificate, so I took my new certificate and went to the passport office and got my passport."

Demos says it turns out the application was for proof of citizenship, even though the records indicated she didn't have citizenship. She notes, therefore, the certificate was later found to have been invalid and she has recently received a letter asking her to return her certificate of citizenship.

According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, under the 1977 Canadian Citizenship Act, which came into effect on February 15, 1977, it states "Children under 18 whose parent or parents have become citizens — or who are applying for citizenship simultaneously — are also eligible to become citizens, if they are permanent residents, and if their parent or parents apply for citizenship on their behalf."

The Canadian Encyclopedia also says changes came to the Act in 2009 and dealt with a group of residents, such as Demos, known as "lost Canadians."

"The term refers to people who were never granted Canadian citizenship, or ceased to be citizens, due to outdated legislation, despite a substantial connection to Canada."

It notes on June 19, 2014 amendments to the Citizenship Act, called the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, were implemented, "the goals of the amendments include dealing with the modern issue of terrorism, clarifying the definition of residence in Canada, and streamlining the citizenship process."

MP for Provencher Ted Falk says the amendment in 2014 was very good but did not capture everyone noting individuals born outside of Canada from 1977 to 1981 lost their citizenship if they did not reaffirm it before their 28th birthday.

"I'm not sure why they were missed. The requirement was, people were advised at that time that they needed to reaffirm their citizenship before their 28th birthday. It wasn't an issue until recently until there have been people that have been told, you know what, you don't have your citizenship here."

Demos says her family has faced this problem a number of times, including her sister.

"When my sister started going through a lot of problems, she had called the department and only one of them told her that I might have issues with mine. We didn't really think anything of it because I thought, no, they wouldn't screw it up that badly, they gave me my certificate, it should be good."

She notes Canada is home for her, her husband and four children are here, her extended family is here, and she works two full-time jobs. Demos says she fears deportation, after a cousin of hers was deported back to Paraguay for three months, and hopes the application she sent in will rectify the situation.

"I have been in contact with the citizenship office, so I do have the actual resumption application in at the moment. I also sent them 84 pages of my ties to Canada."

Demos says she has not been given a time frame as to when her application will be processed but has been told it's being treated as a priority. She adds she is grateful for the support she has been receiving through this time.

Falk says his advice for people who are experiencing this situation is, "until you have your citizenship reaffirmed, make sure you stay in Canada, don't travel outside of Canada, get your citizenship reaffirmed, and my office can help you with that if you live in Provencher."

He adds his office number is 204-326-9889.