Protests Erupt Across Canada Over Threat of Deportation for 70,000 International Students

Thousands of international students have taken to the streets across Canada to protest recent federal immigration policy changes that threaten to deport over 70,000 graduates. The demonstrations are a response to the Justin Trudeau government’s decision to restrict study permits and reduce permanent residency nominations.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent announcement included a reduction in the number of temporary foreign workers allowed to fill low-wage jobs, compounding concerns among international students.

The controversy began with the 2021 abolition of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and the imposition of a two-year cap on international student visas. These changes have led to significant challenges for students, who represent 37 percent of study visa holders in Canada. The government anticipates a 35 percent reduction in the intake of international students as a result of these policies.

In response to the backlash, the Canadian government has also prohibited foreign nationals from applying for the PGWP at the border since June 21. This policy aims to curb “flagpoling,” a practice where temporary residents exit and re-enter Canada to fast-track work or study permit applications.

Protests have erupted from coast to coast, with international students staging rallies and setting up encampments in provinces such as Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. In PEI, demonstrators have been protesting outside the legislative assembly for over three months, voicing their opposition to the new immigration rules.

Student advocacy groups like the Naujawan Support Network have warned that many graduates are at risk of deportation when their work permits expire at the end of the year. New provincial policies have further exacerbated the situation by reducing permanent residency nominations by 25 percent, leaving many students in a precarious position.

Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student, expressed frustration with the situation: “I invested everything in my education and followed all the rules. Now, the government’s actions have put us at risk of deportation,” Singh told City News Toronto.

Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, emphasized that the decision to halt PGWP applications at the border is part of a broader strategy to address the growing concerns about immigration and work permit processes.