RICHMOND, British Columbia - Philippine officials asked Canadian immigration authorities to reconsider the immigration petition filed by the family of a Filipino caregiver murdered in Canada.

Filipino caregiver Araceli Laoagan was on her way home from work when she was raped and murdered near the Franklin train station in Calgary in 2008.

Although justice was served on the Filipina's death, Philippine Consulate officials are now hoping for consideration on the case of the family she left behind.

This after Immigration Canada denied the application of Laoagan's family to come to Canada after her death 2 years ago.

Laoagan was hired under Canada’s live-in caregiver program. Before her death, she had filed an application with immigration authorities to bring her husband and 5 children to Canada.

In the decision given to Laoagan's family by the Canadian embassy in Manila, the Canadian government said it would be better for the family to live in the Philippines. With the death of the principal applicant, they are not considered a member of the family class anymore and have no right to appeal.

“I think they were in their final interview when it (Laoagan’s murder) happened. We have to devise a way for the family to come to Canada,” said Felix Guerrero, acting honorary consul general.

“We’re taking it to a lawyer, we’ll never stop. We’ll appeal to the senses of the immigration and some politicians who know about the case,” he said.

In the US, laws have been changed to allow the family of a petitioner to move forward with their immigration application despite the death of the principal petitioner. The new law was approved by President Barack Obama last year.

Closure

Last April, a guilty verdict was handed down on Laoagan's case. Her attacker, 24-year-old Christopher James Watcheson, was sent to life in prison with no chance of parole.

Laoagan's sister said they got closure with the decision, but are still hoping that her sister's family in the Philippines can join them in Canada. She said they were the reason why she came to work in Canada in the first place.

Filipinos and Canadians have also raised some C$90,000 for a trust fund for Laoagan’s children.

A lot has changed in the community since Laoagan's death. Security cameras have been installed and more lights added to the once dark train station in Calgary.

"It was an awakening, not only for Filipinos, but the city in itself. So it has brought a lot of good things after it happened," said Guerrero.

Guerrero added Filipinos and other nationalities have also become more careful about their security even in a safe place like Calgary. Balitang America