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More than 70,000 international student graduates in Canada face the risk of being deported due to recent changes in federal immigration policies. The students, who came to Canada with hopes of building a new life, are now protesting across the North American country against the Justin Trudeau government's decision to limit study permits and reduce permanent residency nominations.
Demonstrations are taking place from coast-to-coast, with international students setting up encampments and organising rallies in various provinces, including Prince Edward Island (PEI), Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
In PEI, hundreds of students have been protesting outside the legislative assembly for over three months, challenging the changes in immigration rules.
Representatives from the Naujawan Support Network, a student advocacy group, have warned that many graduates could face deportation when their work permits expire at the end of the year.
The situation has become particularly dire due to new provincial policies that have introduced a 25% reduction in permanent residency nominations, leaving many students unexpectedly vulnerable.
"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," Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student facing deportation, told City News Toronto.
Singh, who invested his family's life savings in tuition, is now confronting a daunting deadline with no guarantee of permanent residency.
The inflow of international students, who made up 37% of study visa holders in 2023, put significant pressure on Canada's housing, healthcare, and other services. In response, the Canadian government has imposed a cap on international student permit applications to manage the growth over the next two years.
This cap is expected to result in around 360,000 approved study permits in 2024, a 35% reduction from the previous year, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, foreign nationals can no longer apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border from June 21. This decision targets "flagpoling", where temporary residents exit and re-enter Canada to expedite work or study permit applications.
The PGWP is crucial for international students seeking employment and permanent residency, with a notable surge in issuances in 2023 as compared to 2018.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday also announced that his government will reduce the number of temporary foreign workers doing low-wage jobs.
In Brampton, frustration among international students has led to further protests, where hundreds have rallied against the narrative that blames them for local housing and job crises.
Advocacy groups, such as the International Sikh Student Organisation, argue that these issues stem from broader policy failures rather than the influx of international students.
The ongoing protests shows the growing desperation among international students, who feel they are being unfairly targeted by the government.
Having heavily invested in their education and the Canadian economy, these students are now being told to complete their studies and return home, all while grappling with substantial debt.
They are calling on the government to extend post-graduate work permits, establish clear and consistent pathways to permanent residency, and address the systemic issues contributing to their exploitation.
