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70,000 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN CANADA FACE DEPORTATION

Immigration law

29 Aug

International students across Canada are mobilizing and organizing protests in response to the growing threat of deportation. These demonstrations are a reaction to fears and uncertainties surrounding potential removal orders, which are causing significant distress among the student community.

The protests aim to draw attention to their plight, advocate for fair treatment, and seek policy changes that would provide more stability and security for international students facing these challenges.

The unsettling prospect of imminent deportation. It's like they're rallying for a sequel to their study abroad adventure-one where they actually get to finish their courses without a surprise exit scene. Their demonstrations aim to shine a spotlight on their predicament, advocate for more reasonable policies, and hopefully negotiate for a few more chapters in their Canadian experience.

Over 70,000 international student graduates are staring down the barrel of potential deportation thanks to recent federal policy changes. It seems the dream of a fresh start in the Great White North is now turning into a nail-biting cliffhanger, leaving students wondering if their future is on pause or if they've accidentally signed up for an unexpected sequel- “Escape from Canada.”

A student advocacy organization have warned that graduates might face deportation once their work permits expire at the end of the year. This concern follows recent changes in Canadian immigration policies, which now include restrictions on study permits.

A group of students has set up camp outside the legislative assembly in Prince Edward Island, where they've been staging overnight protests for over three months, basically turning their protest into a seasonal event.

A group of students has set up encampments outside the legislative assembly in Prince Edward Island, where they have been staging overnight protests for over three months. Their continuous presence aims to draw attention to their cause and press for change.

This situation mirrors protests in other provinces, with similar scenes unfolding in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. In each of these locations, students are using their persistent presence and visible demonstrations to advocate for their rights and challenge recent policy changes affecting their futures.

I spent the most critical six years of my life taking risks just to make it to Canada," says one student, a former international student now staring down deportation. "I studied, worked, paid taxes, and racked up enough CRS points to earn a gold star. Yet here we are, feeling like the government just used us as their personal guinea pigs for policy experiments. It's almost like I did all that work just to end up in an unintended sequel called 'Oops, We Forgot About You!'"

Another student points out that there’s been a noticeable lack of consistency lately,” adding that trying to keep up with the ever-changing rules feels like a wild game of policy Twister. It’s as if the regulations are doing a spontaneous dance routine, leaving everyone else scrambling to follow along and wondering if they’ve accidentally joined a very confusing performance.

Yet another former international student who blew through his family's life savings on tuition fees, only to find himself staring down the grim deadline of his work permit expiring with no promise of permanent residency in sight. It’s like he has played the high-stakes game of "Study Abroad Roulette" and is now waiting for the wheel to stop spinning-hoping it lands on "Stay Here" rather than "See You Later."

Initially, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws occurred every two weeks, which allowed students to prepare and plan their applications accordingly. However, the recent shift to an unpredictable schedule for these draws has left students in a state of uncertainty.

Without a clear timeline for when the next draws will happen, they are encountering substantial delays and backlogs, which adds to their stress and complicates their plans for gaining permanent residency.

Students and groups like the International Sikh Student Organization think the real issue is not the international students themselves but rather some big policy blunders. It's as if someone spilled coffee on the policy handbook and forgot to fix it, leaving everyone to deal with the mess.

In recent months, hundreds of international students and immigrant workers have come together to organize rallies across Brampton. Their primary aim has been to counteract and challenge a prevailing narrative that unfairly blames them for the city's ongoing housing and job crises. By mobilizing and speaking out, they seek to address misconceptions and advocate for a more accurate understanding of their role in the community, highlighting that they are not responsible for the local economic and housing challenges but are instead contributors to the city's diversity and vitality.

They’re urging the federal government to extend work permits and set up clear paths to permanent residency, all while making a case that their significant contributions to the Canadian economy should earn them more than just a “thanks for the coffee” note. After all, if they’re helping to boost the economy, they figure they deserve a fair shake and a bit more than just a temporary pass.

Caught in a limbo of hope and uncertainty, the protests highlight the mounting frustration and desperation among international students who believe they have been unjustly targeted by the government.

These students feel that they have been unfairly singled out by government policies and actions. The rallies reflect their growing discontent and concern over being scapegoated for broader issues, such as housing shortages and job market challenges, despite their significant contributions to the community and economy.

Their demonstrations are a cry for justice and a plea for fair treatment, as they face what they see as biased or inequitable policies. It’s like they’re shouting, “We’re not the villains in this story- just the students and workers trying to get a fair shake.”

After all, if they’re going to be the scapegoats, they’d at least like a little credit for their contributions and maybe a chance to stop being cast as the “bad guys” in this economic drama.

Having invested significant time, effort, and financial resources into their education and the Canadian economy, these international students now find themselves in a distressing situation. They are being instructed to complete their studies and return to their home countries, all while grappling with substantial debts incurred during their time in Canada.

This predicament feels particularly unfair to them, as they have contributed to the local economy through tuition payments, living expenses, and often part-time work, yet are facing the prospect of leaving without the stability or opportunities they had anticipated.

The combination of their financial burdens and the pressure to pack up and leave is creating a sense of betrayal and frustration. It’s like being told, “Thanks for all the tuition money and hard work; now, here’s a one-way ticket back home and a mountain of debt to go with it.”

They feel as if their substantial investment in their education and the Canadian economy is being ignored, leaving them with the unspoken message: “You’ve paid your dues, now please exit stage left.”

The students and their supporters are asking the government to extend work permits for graduates, create clear and reliable paths to permanent residency, and fix the problems that have led to their unfair treatment.

They’re worried that without these changes, Canada might end up in a double bind - losing a bunch of skilled workers who’ve already put in the effort and scaring off future international students.

It’s like giving a great party but forgetting to invite anyone back for the next one. You risk not only emptying the dance floor but also getting a bad reputation as the host who doesn’t keep their promises. In short, Canada could end up with fewer talented individuals and a reputation that says, “We’re great but only if you can make it through the maze of red tape".