International students, primarily from India, are staging protests across Canada against a new federal policy that threatens their future in the country. The policy, aimed at addressing local housing and jobs crises, could lead to the deportation of thousands of student graduates after their work permits expire.
This new immigration policy has cast uncertainty on the future of over 70,000 student graduates. In January, Ottawa announced a cap on international students, citing concerns that the program was being used as a backdoor entry to Canada. These recent changes have ignited protests, with students camping outside the legislative assembly in Prince Edward Island (PEI) for the past three months. Similar demonstrations have taken place in other provinces like Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
The policy proposes a crackdown on the number of permanent residency nominations amid concerns about rapid population growth. Statistics from the Federal agency reveal that immigration accounted for almost 97 percent of Canada’s population increase last year. The government aims to control this growth by limiting study permits and reducing permanent residency nominations by 25 percent.
Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student facing deportation, expressed his frustration, stating, “I spent the most crucial six years of my life taking many risks to come to Canada. For the past six years, I studied, I worked, I paid taxes, I earned enough CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points, but the government has just taken advantage of us.”
The student advocacy group, Naujawan Support, warns that graduates are at risk of deportation once their work permits expire this year. While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledges the need for responsible immigration, he emphasizes Canada’s commitment to supporting immigration while ensuring responsible integration and pathways to success for all newcomers.
In response to pressure to reduce temporary residents, the government has reversed its earlier decision to expand the temporary foreign worker program. This program, proposed in 2022 to address labor shortages, will now be limited in areas with an unemployment rate of 6 percent or higher. However, the changes will not affect sectors like agriculture, food processing, construction, and healthcare.
The new policy has sparked outrage among international students, who argue that they have contributed significantly to Canada’s economy and society. The protests highlight the complex interplay between immigration policy, economic concerns, and social integration in a country that relies heavily on international talent.
