At a press conference held on Wednesday morning at Robson Court on Howe Street, lawyer Catherine Sas announced that the inadmissibility case against American actor Randy Quaid and his wife Evi has been dropped.

The couple had been arrested in Vancouver on October 21, 2010, due to outstanding U.S. warrants.

"Initially arrested by CBSA officers due to their concerns the Quaids were inadmissible to Canada for alleged criminal matters in Santa Barbara, those matters have now been definitively resolved," she said. "On February 16, 2011, the inadmissibility proceedings against Randy Quaid were formally withdrawn by CBSA. Randy no longer faces any impediments to his presence in Canada."

She added that Evi Quaid is now a Canadian. "Evi's Canadian citizenship was formally recognized and we received her citizenship card on February 10, 2011. Evi has formerly applied to sponsor her husband, and it is anticipated that Randy will be granted his permanent resident status in due course and before the refugee claim is scheduled."

Co-counsel John Shewfelt said that they are looking into the question of extradition. "Our opinion on that is that the charges are not extraditable offences."

He added that they don't know why the inadmissibility proceedings were withdrawn. He stated that the Canadian Border Services Agency didn't offer an explanation and only sent a notice of withdrawal.

"The inadmissibility proceedings were based upon the fact that Randy is charged with vandalism in California," he said. "The California prosecutors office sent up to the Canadian Border Services Agency a file”¦as far as I can see is the entire prosecution file.... We took a very close look at that, and looked at it from the perspective of what's the test”¦. It's not the criminal standard of prove beyond a reasonable doubt. They simply have to prove that there's a reasonable ground to believe that Randy committed that offence of vandalism”¦. I could not find anything that rose to even that low standard. So we challenged the CBSA on their evidence and said, 'Show us in the evidence where there's a reasonable basis to show that Mr. Quaid committed the offence of vandalism.' And that challenge was outstanding, and it would've been the next matter before the hearing tribunal when the proceedings were withdrawn. So I draw a logical connection between the absence of evidence and the withdrawal of the proceedings."

When asked if they are still concerned about the "Star Whackers" they allegedly claim are after them, Sas replied: "That matter is to be addressed in the context of their refugee claim. And as I stated, we're hopeful that he will have permanent residence”¦. Their safety in Canada they feel fine about."

Sas added that Randy Quaid was now able to accomplish what brought him to Vancouver: to receive a 2009 award from the Vancouver Film Critics Circle.

Local media personality Terry David Mulligan presented Randy Quaid with a framed certificate for best supporting actor in a Canadian film. Quaid won the award for his role as a hit-man in the film Real Time.

"What's lost in all of this is that Randy's a really good actor, making good films, and we're pleased to have him here," Mulligan said. "So we're pleased to present you with this award, and we invite you to join us next year when we hand out next year's awards."

Upon receiving the award, Mr. Quaid gave an acceptance speech. "When Evi and I came to Canada last October, we could never have envisioned how things would unfold and how our lives would change. Having worked in Canada continuously over the years, from The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz to Brokeback Mountain and now to Real Time, it was a natural choice for us in Canada to come here for some R&R and to get this award”¦. Professionally for me, the brightest spot in these past two-and-a-half years has been this film Real Time, and now this award, which I finally get a chance to receive. I want to express to you how deeply I appreciate the Vancouver Film Critics Circle for drawing attention not only to my performance but the film as a whole, and I want to express my gratitude to the producers of the film, Robert and Ari Lantos; the director Randall Cole; my costar Jay Baruchel”¦and the entire cast and crew for their hard work."

Sas says Mr. Quaid has acting work lined up but would not give any further details about it.