The Brokeback Mountain star fled to Canada in 2010 with his wife Evi after they were arrested for illegally squatting at a home in Santa Barbara, California.

The Quaids applied for refugee status, claiming they were being persecuted by "Hollywood star whackers", and Evi, whose father is Canadian, was subsequently granted citizenship.

Quaid was scheduled to appear at an interview with the Immigration and Refugee Board in 2013, but failed to show up. Government officials did not know where the actor was living until last Thursday (14May15), when a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) agent recognised Quaid in downtown Montreal.

Officials apprehended Quaid, who had been living in the city with his wife since February 2013, and sent him to an immigration detention centre, according to CBC News.

He finally appeared in front of the board on Tuesday (19May15), and told agents he was "devastated" after he was denied permanent residency in Canada.

Quaid said, "I'd lost faith in the system. I wanted to get into a space where I could have time to investigate. I needed to gather evidence about what happened in Santa Barbara.

"I meant no disrespect to Canadian border services. I have great respect for them, but I didn't feel that anyone else was willing to listen to me."

But now the actor insists he's ready to cooperate with officials, and he'll do whatever it takes to become a permanent resident in Canada.

He said, "At this point, I desire nothing more than to fully co-operate with any restrictions or conditions, as long as I could be with my wife, even if that means going back to the States to reapply for permanent residency status in Canada."

The actor was released after posting $10,000 (£6,250) bail, and under the condition he alerts Canadian immigration officials to his whereabouts at all times.