Canada Indian student protest: Rights groups seek probe into enforcement action
Here's the latest protest news from across India:
Over 250 organisations, including Amnesty International, have written a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and three other top officials, seeking an independent probe into border agents deeming a dozen Indian students potentially inadmissible after checking the immigration status of 20 of them at a protest in Calgary on August 12.
Adding to this, The protest ended after the August 12 action. The presence of border agents at the protest was unprecedented in recent Canadian history. About 1,500 students at Calgary’s Portage College began a demonstration and hunger strike on July 24 against the retroactive rejection and cancellation of their post-graduation work permits. The protest ended after the August 12 action.
Meanwhile, In the letter addressed to Carney, public safety minister Gary Anandasangaree, immigration minister Lena Metlege Diab, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, the signatories called for immediate suspension of the exclusion orders and any removal action arising from the August 12 enforcement while these events are investigated.
Notably, The signatories demanded clear public policies so that a protest never leads to immigration enforcement, regardless of a person’s status. They called for processing work permits for Portage College graduates under the rules that applied when they enrolled.
As per the latest buzz, Amnesty International Canada shared it was appalled by the CBSA’s crackdown. Migrant rights campaigner Julia Sande shared people should not have to choose between speaking out against injustice and protecting their ability to remain in Canada.
In further updates, Hundreds of Indian students have been refused permits because they enrolled in non-credit courses that did not provide a certificate, diploma, or a degree. The permit denial put their immigration status in limbo.
On top of that, The denial followed an updated policy by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that retroactively disqualified graduates of “non-credit” college programmes. IRCC is the department in charge of immigration, refugees, and citizenship.
Foreign nationals admitted to Canada are unable to work or study unless authorised. They are expected to depart Canada at the end of their authorised period of stay.
Source: Hindustan Times