A U.S. couple that has put down roots in northwestern Ontario, just outside of Thunder Bay, are worried that they may have to leave their adopted home after years of struggling to navigate Canada's immigration system.

Their frustration with the system has even led them to work with a local filmmakers to produce a video plea to the prime minister.

About four years ago Amanda Doran and Danny Friedman moved from Minnesota, to northern Ontario, where Doran was offered a job, and where they purchased a rural property.

In doing so, the couple fulfilled a longstanding dream of moving to Canada, said Friedman. His own connection with Canadian values dates back to childhood, he said, reading books about Canadian heroes Terry Fox and Maurice Richard.

"I was always very touched that Canadians held these folks up as their heroes," he said. "They weren't generals or leaders ... these were just regular folks doing what they love."

"[I'm not] interested in making America great again. I'm really not. I'd really like to stay here and keep doing the Canadian thing."

But this month they were informed by Immigration Canada that an application to renew Doran's work permit had been denied, and that their temporary resident status has expired.

The letter stated that they were missing a part of the application required under new regulations that came into effect last year.

It's the latest in what they say has been a string of setbacks that have made the couple feel that they're falling through the cracks of the immigration system.

"I think we're falling through a hole right now," said Doran, "and it's just very hard."

Doran, 30, works as a mixed practice veterinarian, a type of vet that she says is in short supply in the area, and Friedman, 38, works part-time at the local college.

By now the couple had hoped to have become permanent residents of Canada, but despite their education levels and jobs, they've been unable to qualify.

Financial strain

Without permits, the couple say they're worried that they will soon have to pick up and leave.

"We're just weeks away from having to leave our house," said Friedman.

"We have no way to support ourselves, our health care has been cut off. The EI that we've been paying into for four and a half years, we have no access to."

Danny Friedman and Amanda Doran purchased this rural property in northwestern Ontario, and built a home there. But they say their future in Canada is uncertain.

Losing their work permits has been doubly upsetting, said Doran, because its left her employer and the owners of the animals she treats, in the lurch.

While they are hopeful that a second application will result in new work permits being issued, Friedman and Doran say their long-term goal is still permanent residency, and ultimately citizenship.

However, the roadblocks have made them wonder whether its time to give up.

"I think the question we're asking ourselves now is how long do we do this?," said Doran. "When do we stop pouring money into this?"

"We've put everything we have ... into trying to make this work," said Friedman.

"The system isn't working."