Abdoul Abdi's deportation hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board in Toronto has been postponed until after his Federal Court case in Halifax on May 29, his lawyer said Wednesday.

"He was incredibly relieved with the result and to learn that he's not going to lose his permanent resident status before he gets to have his day in court," said Ben Perryman, Abdi's Halifax-based lawyer, who will represent him at Federal Court.

Abdi came to Nova Scotia as a refugee from Somalia with his sister and aunts when he was six years old. He grew up in provincial foster care, but officials never applied for his Canadian citizenship.

Abdi was detained by the Canada Border Services Agency earlier this year after serving nearly five years in prison for multiple offences, including aggravated assault. He was subsequently released to a halfway house.

Perryman has asked the Federal Court for a warning letter instead of a deportation order. A warning letter would give Abdi a second chance, Perryman has said.

He said if the Federal Court were to rule in his client's favour, Abdi's deportation order would be invalidated and he would retain his status as a permanent resident. But it's possible the federal government could start the deportation order again.

"This is the second time to the Federal Court. The first decision made by the minister of public safety was overturned in October 2017. The Federal Court found it was unreasonable and a violation of the law. ," Perryman said.

"The minister of public safety then made a second decision to deport Mr. Abdi and it's that decision to deport Mr. Abdi and it's that decision we're now reviewing before the Federal Court in May. So he's been successful once and he's going back for a second time."

Argument to stay in Canada

Unlike the Immigration and Refugee Board, the Federal Court can take into account Abdi's experience in Nova Scotia's child-care system and his bleak prospects in Somalia — a war-torn country considered to be very dangerous.

According to the Canada Border Services Agency, Canada has deported 31 people to Somalia between 2015 and Feb. 26, 2018.

Abdoul Abdi came to Nova Scotia as a refugee from Somalia with his sister and aunts when he was six years old. (Submitted by Benjamin Perryman)

Supporters argue more should be done to keep Abdi in Canada. He was moved around between foster homes 31 times throughout his childhood. His criminal past and lack of citizenship are the grounds for the would-be deportation.

If the deportation order is issued, Abdi would immediately lose access to health care and his right to work, which would put him at risk of being incarcerated again, as one of the conditions of his release from prison was that he work.

Abdi has been living in a Toronto halfway house since his release in January from immigration detention. He is currently employed in a research project that examines youth who have contact with both the child-welfare system and the criminal justice system.