Groups pen letter to Carney, Smith asking not to deport student protesters

A coalition of nearly 300 labor and community groups is urging the Canadian federal and Alberta governments to cease the deportation of 10 international students who were targeted for enforcement during a protest. The Migrant Rights Network, representing organizations like Amnesty International and CUPE Ontario, argues that singling out newcomers for enforcement while they are protesting immigration rules infringes on their Charter right to free speech and will discourage others from speaking out.

The groups claim that recent changes to post-graduation work permit eligibility have left 10 students without the ability to remain in Canada. The Calgary protest, involving 1,500 graduates from Portage College, led to the issuance of exclusion orders demanding the students leave the country and not return for a year. The network calls for the reinstatement of work permits, an investigation into the actions of police and border officials, and clear rules against targeting migrants during peaceful protests.