American teacher Malcolm Watson, who set off a political firestorm when he was allowed to return  to Canada to serve his sentence for sex crimes committed in Buffalo, was ordered deported Monday.

Immigration and Refugee Board member Liz Lasowski ruled Watson was in a position of trust and authority over the 15-year-old female victim, which is a criminal offence in Canada.

"I find there is evidence that the act Mr. Watson committed ... would constitute an offence under the Canadian Criminal Code, namely sexual exploitation,'' Lasowski said at an admissibility hearing.

"I do hereby make a deportation order against you, Mr. Watson.''

Watson's lawyer, Stephen Green, immediately appealed the decision, which effectively stays the deportation order and means Watson can continue living with his wife and children in St. Catharines, Ont., until the case is resolved.

"He is a permanent resident of Canada,'' Green said outside the hearing. "He is allowed to work in Canada, travel in Canada.''

"Of course Mr. Watson's upset, but he understood he has the right of appeal.''

Green predicted it could be up to a year before the appeal is heard.

Watson, 36, was convicted of a misdemeanor sex offence after he admitted to kissing and improperly touching a 15-year-old student.

His plea bargain deal allowed him to serve his probation in St. Catharines with his family.

Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, were enraged by the deal. They accused the Americans of "dumping'' sex offenders in Canada.

Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant said he won't be satisfied until Watson is back serving his sentence in the U.S.

"We support free trade -- just not free trade in criminals,'' Bryant said. "That means that when somebody's sentenced south of the border, they have to complete their sentence south of the border.

"There was simply no jurisdiction for any probation ... to be completed in Canada.''

With files from The Canadian Press