A group of individuals participating in an international student protest in northeast Calgary may face potential deportation from Canada, as per an immigration lawyer. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) responded to the protest site to assess the immigration statuses of attendees. Out of the 20 individuals verified by officers, 12 were flagged as possibly ineligible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The identified individuals were requested to attend follow-up interviews at the CBSA office on the same day. Due to privacy regulations, specific details on these cases were not disclosed by the spokesperson.
CBSA emphasized that individuals undergoing immigration enforcement, even those facing removal orders, are entitled to due process. The protest, primarily led by international graduates advocating for work permit issues near the Genesis Centre, has been ongoing for weeks. Similar demonstrations are taking place in Edmonton, with some Alberta students resorting to hunger strikes to highlight their concerns.
Several graduates from Portage College expressed disappointment after being refused post-graduation work permits they believed they qualified for. Portage College is seeking clarification from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding the matter. IRCC clarified that students commencing studies before May 2024 are unaffected by recent changes. It was specified that denials were related to specific agreements on eligible study programs leading to degrees, diplomas, or certificates.
Calgary Police Service sought assistance from CBSA due to concerns arising from the ongoing protest, citing noise disturbances, business obstruction, and public intoxication complaints. The police had intervened after reports of individuals blocking sidewalks and impeding pedestrian movement without permits. The initial check by CBSA, prompted by police, escalated to a broader verification process after two individuals were found to be non-compliant with their immigration status.
Jatin Shory, an immigration lawyer representing numerous students challenging work permit denials, cautioned against public protests, describing the situation as a group of individuals openly declaring their undocumented status. He emphasized CBSA’s right to investigate tips received and suggested the agency’s move was a message signaling changes in Canadian immigration practices.
While the outcomes of the interviews with the 12 flagged individuals remain undisclosed, Shory noted that receiving an exclusion order, mandating immediate departure and a one-year ban from Canada, is a common consequence for those without legal status. Despite legal avenues available for challenging exclusion orders, success rates are low, potentially leading to swift enforcement of removal within weeks.