After Canadian PM Justin Trudeau decided to reduce permanent residency and the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers in Canada, over 70,000 international student graduates face the risk of being deported.

Hundreds of Indian students staged protests against a new federal policy.

They have been camping in front of the legislative assembly in Canada’s Prince Edward Island province. Similar demonstrations have also reportedly taken place in the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.

Representatives from the Naujawan Support Network, a student advocacy group, expressed concern that graduates may face deportation when their work permits expire at the end of this year. 

Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student facing deportation said that he spent six of the most critical years of his life taking significant risks to come to Canada, according to Canadian news reports.

He mentioned that during these years, he studied, worked, paid taxes, and earned enough Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, yet feels that the government has taken advantage of him and others like him.

According to the latest policy, the Canadian government is planning to decrease the permanent residency nominations by 25% along with limiting study permits.

In 2023, 97% of Canada’s population growth came from “international migration” (both permanent and temporary immigration) and the remaining portion (2.4%) came from natural increase, according to figures from StanCan.

In a press conference, Trudeau reportedly said that it is not fair to Canadians struggling to find a good job, and it’s not fair to those temporary foreign workers, some of whom are being mistreated and exploited.

Canada is now discussing changes to its immigration system. With a reduction in the number of permanent residents.

Also read:

Canada’s plan to cut down low-wage workers will hit Indians the hardest