More than 70,000 international student graduates in Canada are now confronting the grim prospect of deportation due to recent changes in federal immigration policies.
Protests Erupt Over Policy Changes
These students, who came to Canada with dreams of building a new life, have begun organizing widespread protests against the Justin Trudeau government’s decision to impose stricter study permit regulations and reduce permanent residency opportunities.
Nationwide Protests Gain Momentum
Protests have erupted across the country, with students setting up camps and staging rallies in several provinces, including Prince Edward Island (PEI), Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. In PEI, frustration has reached a boiling point, with hundreds of students protesting outside the legislative assembly for over three months, expressing their discontent with the evolving immigration policies.
Threat of Deportation Looms
The situation has grown increasingly urgent, with representatives from the Naujawan Support Network, a student advocacy group, warning that many graduates could face deportation as their work permits are set to expire by the end of the year. New provincial policies have further compounded the issue by slashing permanent residency nominations by 25 percent, leaving numerous students in a precarious position.
Voices of Desperation
“I spent six years taking risks to come to Canada. I studied, worked, paid taxes, and earned enough Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, but the government has taken advantage of us,” lamented Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student now facing the threat of deportation.
Impact of New Immigration Regulations
- In an effort to manage the rising number of international students, who made up 37 percent of study visa holders in 2023, the Canadian government has introduced a cap on new study permit applications.
- This cap is expected to reduce the number of approved study permits to around 360,000 in 2024, marking a 35 percent decrease from the previous year.
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that foreign nationals would no longer be able to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border, a move aimed at curbing the practice known as “flagpoling,” where temporary residents leave and re-enter Canada to expedite their permit processing.
Government Response and Student Backlash
In response to the growing concerns, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced plans to limit the number of temporary foreign workers employed in low-wage positions.
Indian Students Lead Protests in Brampton
The situation has intensified in Brampton, where hundreds of international students have rallied against the negative portrayal of their role in local housing and job shortages. Advocacy groups, such as the International Sikh Student Organisation, argue that broader policy failures are to blame for these challenges, rather than the presence of international students.
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