Some Newfoundland and Labrador cabinet ministers are offering to help an Israeli family in Marystown facing deportation from Canada.

Supporters of Angela Portnoy and her family are scheduled to meet Monday with Intergovernmental Affairs Minister John Ottenheimer.

Angela Portnoy, who is defying a deportation order, has been living with her children in a church basement since October.
(CBC)

An aide in Ottenheimer's office said the minister wants to help the Portnoys, whose appeal to stay in Canada on humanitarian grounds was rejected last week.

Ottenheimer will not be commenting publicly on the case until he meets with the committee supporting the Portnoys.

Angela Portnoy, who delivered a son by caesarean section Aug. 12, has been living with her children in a church basement in Marystown since last October. Her husband, Alexi Portnoy, was deported in January, weeks after authorities caught him outside the church on a suspected speeding violation.

Joanne Mallay-Jones, one of the advocates for the Portnoy family, said supporters are hopeful because Ottenheimer has agreed to look into the case.

"Mr. Ottenheimer said that he was very interested in hearing from us and support us and the family in their bid to stay in the province," Mallay-Jones said.

As well, they have heard from their MHA, Environment Minister Clyde Jackman. Supporters hope to enlist more support as they investigate future options for the Portnoys, who have said they will not feel safe in Israel.

"We need every agency and possible person that might hold some possible avenues to this to come forward," Mallay-Jones said.

The Portnoys were deported in 2000 after an application to stay in Canada was rejected. They entered the country the next year, but without documentation. A subsequent bid to stay as refugees was again rejected, and a deportation order was filed in 2004.

The Portnoys have garnered strong support from residents in Marystown, who have described the family as good neighbours.

"It is heartless what they're doing to them. Very heartless," said resident Edna Power. "They're only human. And they're trying to make a better life for themselves."