Nay Myo Hein is facing deportation to Burma. (CBC)

A Federal Court judge on Friday upheld a deportation order requiring Nay Myo Hein to return to Burma, a country the man fled after being forced into its army while he was a child.

Hein, 25, has spent the last two years in Saskatoon. He had applied to federal immigration officials for refugee status, which would have allowed him to remain in Canada.

However, that request was rejected because the Immigration and Refugee Board did not believe Hein would be persecuted upon his return to Burma, also known as Myanmar.

Hein has said he likely faces jail and torture because he deserted the army when he was 14. He has also participated in protests in Canada condemning the Burmese military government.

Hein's deportation is set for Aug. 18.

His supporters told CBC News on Friday that the only recourse left is a direct request to the federal minister of Public Safety, Peter Van Loan, asking him to intervene and overrule the deportation order.