Indian Students Protest Against Canada's Immigration Policy Changes Over Deportation Fears

Hundreds of Indian student graduates are protesting in Canada against a new government policy that might lead to their deportation. Many international students, especially from India, move to Canada with hopes of a better future, but recent immigration changes have put over 70,000 student graduates in a tough spot.

These students have been protesting outside the legislative assembly in Prince Edward Island for more than three months, with similar protests happening in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. The new policies aim to reduce the number of permanent residency approvals by 25% and limit study permits, as Canada has seen a sharp increase in population, mostly due to immigration. Last year, 97% of Canada’s population growth was due to immigration.

A group called the Naujawan Support Network has warned that these graduates might face deportation when their work permits expire at the end of this year.

Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student facing deportation, said he spent six years in Canada studying, working, and paying taxes, hoping to eventually get permanent residency. He feels the government has taken advantage of them.

Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, is under pressure to reduce the number of temporary residents due to a housing and jobs crisis. The government is also cutting back on the temporary foreign worker program, which was expanded in 2022 to address labor shortages. The number of temporary foreign worker permits issued in 2023 saw a sharp increase, but now the government plans to deny work permits in areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, except for sectors like agriculture, food processing, construction, and healthcare.

Trudeau said that the government wants to ensure Canada continues to support immigration, but in a responsible way that allows everyone who comes to Canada to succeed. The government also plans to reduce the temporary resident population to 5% of Canada’s total population in the next three years.

The International Sikh Student Organization, an advocacy group, argues that the real cause of the employment and housing issues is poor policy decisions, not the presence of international students.