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For more than two years, a man who calls himself Paul Rooney sat in a Maple Ridge prison while border agents tried to figure out exactly who he was and where he came from. They interviewed his friends and co-workers, examined his health records and ran his fingerprints through international databases.

Officially speaking, Paul Rooney’s origins were a complete mystery.

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The Canada Border Services Agency came up short and earlier this year, the Immigration and Refugee Board ordered Rooney released from detention at the Fraser Regional Correctional Centre, a decision that has now been upheld twice by the Federal Court.

“He may or may not have been born in Toronto. He may or may not have been born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He may or may not have been born in England … In other words, he may or may not be Canadian,” Federal Court Justice Sean Harrington wrote in a decision back in March.

He may or may not have been born in Toronto. He may or may not have been born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He may or may not have been born in England … In other words, he may or may not be Canadian

Rooney seems to be in his late 40s or early 50s, according to court and IRB documents. Prison doctors say he likely suffers from early onset dementia, and Rooney claims he can’t remember when or where he was born.