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Though Erin Brooks was born in Texas and Grew up in Hawaii, she has competed in international events as a Canadian for years. This year, her citizenship was called into question, kicking off a lengthy battle that seemed to end in defeat for the Brooks family. Now, in a reversal from the Canadian government, Erin Brooks has finally been granted Canadian citizenship and may have a shot to compete in the 2024 Olympics under the maple leaf flag.
“Lost Canadian Erin Brooks has been granted her Canadian citizenship after reconsideration by the Minister of Immigration” tweeted Vancouver East Member of Parliament Jenny Kwan, who has been an advocate for Brooks to receive citizenship since November. As CBC reports, Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s change of heart came about as a result of a December ruling by Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice that it is unconstitutional for Canada to deny automatic citizenship to the children of foreign-born Canadians who grew up abroad.
Brooks’ citizenship first came into question in June when the CBC revealed that Brooks was not officially a Canadian citizen, but rather had been granted an exemption by the ISA based on a pending citizenship application. Shortly after the story was published, the ISA decided to immediately suspend her eligibility to compete as a Canadian. Then, in October, her bid for citizenship was officially denied by the government.
However, with this latest reversal, Brooks will once again have the opportunity to qualify to represent Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the surfing of which event will be held at Teahupo’o. Her last chance to qualify will be in February, at the ISA World Championships in Puerto Rico.
“She just broke down in tears She was just so excited ” Jeff Brooks said to CBC. “It was a really special moment.”
