Accused Calgary gangster facing deportation

 If a purported member of a notorious Calgary street gang had only attended a citizenship meeting, he wouldn’t see himself in the cross-hairs of immigration officials. Tien Ngoc Ho didn’t make the citizenship meeting several years ago and now the 25-year-old, stripped of permanent resident status by immigration officials last year, is facing deportation for serious criminality, something which couldn’t happen if had become a Canadian. Set to be released from federal custody on Friday after serving time for weapons-related offences, Ho will automatically be transferred to custody of Canada Border Services Agency. Ho, who is said to be a veteran gang player and FOB Killers member, was ordered deported in December 2011. CBSA will likely argue for his continued detention as deportation proceedings are underway. And the case could become prolonged ,given Ho is appealing his conviction for weapons-offences for which he received a six-year sentence, his lawyer Hersh Wolch said Tuesday. A criminal conviction earning a sentence of two years or more means an individual is unable to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division. Those earning terms less than two years can appeal a deportation order. Provincial court Judge Terry Semenuk handed the Vietnam-born Ho the six-year jail term in February 2011 after police found a cache of weapons during searches of a vehicle and northwest home. Two loaded handguns were found in a hidden vehicle compartment of his common-law wife’s car and five loaded handguns in a backpack in the garage of Ho’s home where police found a bullet-proof vest in a baby’s bedroom. Police at the time said the arrest thwarted a gang attack. Because of credit for time in remand, the Ho Chi Minh City native served substantially less time. Immigration documents show Ho stating he applied for citizenship when he was 18 but did not attend an interview meaning his bid to be a Canadian was abandoned. “My whole family took the test and they all got citizenship,” he said in transcripts from the 2011 Immigration and Refugee Board hearing. Ho has denied any gang involvement.

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