Three families from Exeter are on the verge of deportation. The Toj families have called Huron County home for nearly three years, but a call from Immigration Canada could send them on the next plane back to Guatemala.

Nearly three years after arriving in Canada Jehidy Toj, her husband and two children were supposed to be deported on Saturday.

"They had tickets, passports, everything ready for us to leave."

A last minute reprieve from Immigration Canada has granted the Toj's more time, but they have no idea how long.

"They could come tomorrow and tell us again 'Well you have to leave on next Saturday again.' We don't know," Jehidy says.

Her brother Maynor Toj is also being deported and is slated to leave on February 2nd. Another brother and his family are also in danger of being sent back to Guatemala.

And Maynor adds "We're here already you know, why they want us to leave?"

These families fear returning to their homeland because a close relative was kidnapped in 2009 and they fear a similar fate if they return.

Not believing their story, Immigration Canada has repeatedly denied their request for permanent residence.

And there could be serious consequences. A surgery scheduled in June for Jehidy's daughter who has spina bifida hangs in the balance.

"We're not guaranteed she's going to be able to have this surgery, and this is a life-threatening thing if she doesn't get this done," she says.

Since their arrival three years ago as refugees the Toj's have become valuable members of the community.

They all have full-time jobs. Jehidy started Exeter's first-ever ESL class while her husband Henry Toj is a machine operator at a local factory.

Meaghan Theophilopoulos is a friend of the Toj families and says "It would be sad to see Jehidy leave, and her family because we all enjoy having her."

The family's community involvement, even their daughter's illness hasn't been enough to sway Immigration Canada.

But Jehidy says she isn't giving up. She'll fight until they're on that plane back to Guatemala. A day they hope never happens.

"My son's words were 'Why do we have to move from our safe home, from our safe school?'"

Jehidy and her friends are planning to start a petition to try and buy more time here in Canada.