Hundreds of Indian student graduates have taken to the streets in Canada, voicing their concerns over a new federal immigration policy that threatens their future in the country. For many, moving to Canada was a dream, offering the promise of a better life. However, recent changes in immigration policy have cast a shadow of uncertainty over the lives of more than 70,000 student graduates, leaving them at risk of deportation.
In response to the policy shift, Indian students have staged protests across several Canadian provinces. In Prince Edward Island, a group of graduates has been camped outside the legislative assembly for over three months, demanding a reversal of the policy. Similar demonstrations have erupted in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia, highlighting the widespread discontent among the student community.
The new policies aim to reduce permanent residency nominations by 25% and impose stricter limits on study permits. These changes come in the wake of Canada’s rapid population growth, largely driven by immigration. Federal data reveals that 97% of last year’s population increase was due to immigration, prompting the government to take action.
Student advocacy groups like the Naujawan Support Network have raised alarms, warning that graduates are at risk of deportation when their work permits expire at the end of this year. One such student, Amanpreet Kaur, shared her story, shedding light on the emotional and financial toll this policy has taken on international students.
“I spent six years in Canada, working hard to build a life here,” Kaur said. “I studied, worked, and paid taxes, all in the hope of securing permanent residency. But now, it feels like the government has turned its back on us.”
Kaur, like many others, invested her family’s life savings into her education, believing that it would lead to a secure future in Canada. The sudden policy change has left her and thousands of others in a state of limbo, unsure of what lies ahead.
The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is facing mounting pressure to address the country’s housing and job crisis. The rapid growth of temporary residents has exacerbated these issues, leading the government to implement measures aimed at reducing the number of temporary workers. This move comes as Trudeau’s government struggles in the polls, with an election expected next year.
One of the key changes is the reduction in the number of temporary foreign workers allowed into the country, reversing a previous decision to expand the program in 2022. According to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), 183,820 temporary foreign worker permits were issued in 2023, an 88% increase from 2019. The ESDC has criticized employers for relying on this program to bypass hiring local talent.
Under the new policy, work permits will be denied in regions with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, with exceptions made for sectors like agriculture, food processing, construction, and healthcare.
Prime Minister Trudeau addressed the situation, stating, “We’re reviewing our immigration streams to ensure that Canada remains welcoming to newcomers while also being responsible in how we integrate them into our society. We want to create pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada.”
The International Sikh Student Organization, another prominent advocacy group, has criticized the government’s approach, arguing that the root of the employment and housing crises lies in broader policy failures, not the influx of international students. They contend that scapegoating students and temporary workers is not the solution to Canada’s challenges.
As the protests continue and the deadline for work permits approaches, the future remains uncertain for thousands of Indian graduates who once saw Canada as a land of opportunity. The government’s next steps will be crucial in determining whether these students can continue to call Canada home or if they will be forced to return to their home countries, dreams unfulfilled.