A family south of Ottawa will be deported back to their home country of Trinidad and Tobago because the federal government does not consider them refugees.

The Maharaj family has received a deportation order to leave Canada by early Friday morning. That is despite concerns their safety is at risk back home.

Vashti Maharaj will be deported along with her husband, their daughter and infant grandchild. (CBC)

Motilal Maharaj told the CBC's Waubgeshig Rice police threatened his children's safety and demanded protection money in the Caribbean country, which they felt was cause for departing to the United States 12 years ago.

The Maharaj family then moved to Canada in 2008 and claimed refugee status.

Since then, one of Motilal's sons has married and had a child. The family also owns and operates a store in Kemptville, Ont., about 60 km south of Ottawa.

"I can't understand this. We've worked, we've been honest," Motilal's wife, Vashti Maharaj, said.

The family said it would be broken up due to the deportation. Ricky Maharaj, son of Motilal and Vashti, will remain in Canada with his wife, who is a Canadian citizen, and their two-year-old son Navin. Everyone else, including infant grandson Messiah, have to leave Canada.

Family 'lacks credibility', officials say

"Why they turned down my papers, because my country's democratic," Motilal said. "So then why didn't they refuse me the first day then and say we cannot give you refuge?"

An independent review board refused the family's refugee status last year. The family appealed to the federal court but last week learned that appeal was denied.

In a statement to CBC News, officials said the family has not produced enough evidence to prove they would be in danger in their home country. They also said the family "lacks credibility" and the decision was based on that.

Friends and neighbours of the family say they should stay. They created a petition to keep them here, which has garnered 600 signatures.