Over 70,000 international students in Canada are facing the looming threat of deportation following recent changes in federal immigration policies. The situation has sparked nationwide protests, as students from Nigeria and other countries rally against the Canadian government’s decision to restrict study permits and reduce permanent residency nominations.
The uproar comes in the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement on Monday to further cut the number of temporary foreign workers in low-wage positions.
This follows the 2021 abolition of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, a critical pathway for international graduates seeking employment and residency in Canada.
Last year marked a turning point as the federal government imposed a two-year cap on international student visas. By 2023, international students accounted for 37% of study visa holders, exacerbating existing challenges in housing, unemployment, and public services. The new cap aims to reduce foreign student intake by 35%.
In June, Immigration Minister Marc Miller declared that foreign nationals would no longer be able to apply for a PGWP at the border, targeting a practice known as “flagpoling.” This decision has left many students in limbo, with the Naujawan Support Network warning that numerous graduates could face deportation when their work permits expire by year’s end.
Protests have erupted in provinces including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia, with students establishing encampments and organizing rallies. The discontent is fueled by provincial policies resulting in a 25% cut in permanent residency nominations, leaving students like Mehakdeep Singh, who told City News Toronto, feeling betrayed. Singh, a former international student who invested his family’s life savings in his education, now faces an uncertain future without guaranteed residency.
As the debate intensifies, the Canadian government finds itself at a crossroads, balancing immigration reform with the aspirations of thousands seeking a future in Canada. The outcome of these protests may well shape the landscape of international education and immigration policies in the country for years to come.