The Canada Border Services Agency will not rule out further attempts to deport a failed refugee claimant who has taken sanctuary at a Sikh temple in Surrey, B.C., after supporters blocked his removal once again on Wednesday morning.

Laibar Singh suffered a stroke last year that left him a quadriplegic.
(CBC)

In a written statement, CBSA media relations officer Christopher Williams said he could not comment on the specifics of Laibar Singh's case but said the deportation order stands.

"The fact that a person is hiding in a place of worship to avoid removal does not influence the federal government's decision concerning the case," wrote Williams.

"The government is committed to enforcing removal orders against those persons who are inadmissible to Canada, including those who do not comply with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act," wrote Williams.

The CBSA had told temple officials they planned to deport Singh Wednesday at 4:30 a.m. PT, but the deportation was delayed as temple representatives met with border agents and police.

Protesters stand outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara where Laibar Singh was claiming sanctuary.
(CBC)

While those discussions took place during the early morning hours, about 300 supporters rallied outside temple and parked a cube van behind the temple's large metal gate, which was locked with chains.

At around 5 a.m., Singh's lawyer, Zool Suleman, returned from talks with officials and said the deportation was not going ahead on Wednesday.

"I want to announce that there will be no removal of Laibar Singh today," said Suleman, "Now I also want to be very clear that this is not about winners and losers today, but this is about the spirit of co-operation and understanding."

Singh's supporters claimed CBSA officials agreed to recognize his unofficial right to sanctuary in the religious temple, but said they understood the removal order still stands.

Laibar Singh's lawyer Zool Suleman tells reporters his client won't be deported on Wednesday.
(CBC)

"I want to thank the Canadian Border Services Agency for being very co-operative and understanding in a very difficult context. I'd like to thank the RCMP for also being very co-operative in a very difficult context," said Suleman.

Protesters at the scene told CBC News they wanted a more permanent decision in favour of Singh, but are happy that his deportation has been prevented for now.

Previous attempts thwarted

The 48-year-old Indian man took sanctuary at the Guru Nanak Sikh temple after his supporters thwarted a previous attempt to deport him on Dec. 11.

More than 1,000 protesters at Vancouver International Airport's departure terminal blocked the deportation of Laibar Singh on Dec. 10.
(CBC)

Singh came to Canada in 2003 on a forged passport and initially sought refugee status in 2003 on the grounds that he would be persecuted by police in Punjab, where officials have accused him of links to separatist militants. His refugee claim was denied that same year.

His appeals to stay in Canada were turned down by immigration officials who ruled Singh couldn't remain because he doesn't have adequate community ties.

Singh suffered a massive stroke three years later that left him quadriplegic and unable to care for himself and has since argued that he will die if he is deported to India because he won't be able to get proper medical treatment.

Singh first sought sanctuary at the Kalgidhar Darbar Sahib Society Temple in Abbotsford in July after the CBSA issued a deportation order.

The Canada Border Services Agency arrested Singh on Aug. 13 at an Abbotsford, B.C., hospital, after he left the temple to seek medical attention.

The federal government granted Singh a 60-day stay of his deportation order on Aug. 19, the day before he was expected to be deported. The deportation was later rescheduled for December.

Singh was scheduled to be deported via Vancouver International Airport on Dec. 11, but the CBSA delayed its action after more than 1,000 people protested at the departures terminal, blocking traffic and causing delays.

Singh's supporters have said he should be allowed to remain on humanitarian grounds, and have pledged to cover all his medical and personal costs while he remains in Canada.