Hundreds of Indian student graduates have taken to the streets in Canada, voicing their concerns and dissatisfaction over recent federal policy changes that put their future in jeopardy. The protests, which have been ongoing for over three months, are driven by new policies aimed at reducing permanent residency nominations and limiting study permits.
The Canadian government’s latest policy adjustments have left more than 70,000 student graduates from India facing uncertainty regarding their immigration status. The new measures include a 25 percent reduction in permanent residency nominations and tighter restrictions on study permits. This move comes amid a backdrop of rapid population growth in Canada, with immigration accounting for 97 percent of last year’s population increase.
The protests have been widespread, with demonstrators camping outside the legislative assembly in Prince Edward Island and holding similar rallies in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. Student advocacy groups, such as the Naujawan Support Network, have warned that the changes could lead to mass deportations once work permits expire at the end of this year.
Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student who is now facing deportation, shared his frustration: “I spent the most crucial six years of my life taking many risks to come to Canada. I studied, worked, paid taxes, and earned enough Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, but the government has just taken advantage of us.”
Singh, like many others, invested his family’s savings into education with the hope of eventually gaining permanent residency. The policy changes have intensified the strain on international students, who now grapple with the threat of deportation.
The Canadian government, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is responding to pressures related to a local housing and jobs crisis by reducing the number of temporary residents. The government is also scaling back its temporary foreign worker program, reversing a 2022 decision to expand it. In 2023, 183,820 temporary foreign worker permits were issued, marking an 88 percent increase from 2019. However, the ESDC has criticized employers for using the program to avoid hiring domestic talent.
Trudeau has indicated that the government is committed to supporting immigration while ensuring successful integration and success pathways for newcomers. The administration aims to reduce the temporary resident population to 5 percent of Canada’s total population within the next three years.
In response to the policy changes, the International Sikh Student Organization has argued that the root causes of employment and housing issues are broader policy failures rather than the influx of international students. The organization calls for a reassessment of policies to address the underlying challenges rather than targeting the migrant population.
The ongoing protests reflect a deep sense of betrayal and anxiety among Indian student graduates, who are now grappling with the uncertainty of their future in Canada amidst shifting immigration policies.
Sources By Agencies
