Dozen protesting Indian students deemed potentially inadmissible to Canada
About 1,500 students began a demonstration and hunger strike in July 24 against the retroactive rejection of their post-graduation work permits
Dozen Indian students at a protest in Calgary, Alberta, were deemed potentially inadmissible to Canada by border agents. The incident occurred during a demonstration and hunger strike by about 1,500 Portage College students against the cancellation of their post-graduation work permits. Hundreds of Indian international students have been refused these permits due to their enrollment in non-credit courses that do not provide a certificate, diploma, or degree.
The permit denial placed their immigration status in a precarious situation. The revised policy by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) retroactively disqualified graduates of "non-credit" college programs. IRCC is responsible for immigration, refugees, and citizenship in Canada. The CBSA spokesperson informed The Globe and Mail that foreign nationals admitted to Canada must have authorization to work or study and must depart at the end of their authorized stay.
Upon learning of foreign nationals who might be inadmissible, CBSA officers investigate and take appropriate action. Calgary Police were informed of the protest by complaints and asked CBSA to perform a "status check" on four individuals. Two of them were found to be non-compliant with their immigration status. Immigration lawyer Sumit Sen expressed concern for the students, stating that they face the prospect of returning home after a shattered dream.
The question remains whether IRCC has the power to implement a rule that applies retroactively. The presence of border agents at the protest was unprecedented in Canadian history. Students, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their frustration to Hindustan Times and Red FM Calgary. Alberta's Premier, Danielle Smith, emphasized that a student visa is a temporary document and that universities and colleges were built for Alberta students.
She called for a return to an immigration process that respects rules. Canadian officials met with impacted students, but they were told that only IRCC could assess their post-graduation work permit applications. Anirudh Bhattacharya, a Toronto-based commentator and author, commented on the situation.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
