In a powerful show of discontent, tens of thousands of international students took to the streets across Canada this week, protesting against new federal immigration policies that have left many fearing deportation.
The demonstrations, which drew an estimated 70,000 participants, took place in major provinces including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
The protests were sparked by a series of controversial immigration reforms. In 2021, the Canadian government abolished the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, which had previously allowed international students to gain valuable work experience in the country after completing their studies.
The situation worsened last year when a two-year cap on international student visas was introduced, further reducing opportunities for foreign students to stay and work in Canada.
As of 2023, international students made up 37 percent of study visa holders in Canada. However, the recent cap on student visas is expected to slash the intake of foreign students by 35 percent. The government has defended these measures as necessary to address pressures on housing, unemployment, and public services.
In June, the Canadian government further tightened regulations, announcing that foreign nationals could no longer apply for a PGWP at the border. This decision has intensified fears among international students, many of whom now face an uncertain future in Canada.
Student advocacy groups, such as the Naujawan Support Network, have expressed grave concerns, warning that many international graduates could be at risk of deportation once their work permits expire at the end of the year.
“I spent six years taking risks to come to Canada. I studied, worked, paid taxes, and earned enough Comprehensive Ranking System points, but the government has taken advantage of us,” lamented Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student now facing the prospect of deportation.
The situation has been further complicated by new provincial policies, including a 25 percent reduction in permanent residency nominations, which have significantly limited the pathways for international students to remain in Canada.
Immigrant workers have also joined the protests, staging rallies in cities like Brampton to counter claims that they are exacerbating local housing and job crises.
As the protests continue, the Canadian government faces growing pressure to reconsider its immigration policies and address the concerns of the international student community, whose future in the country now hangs in the balance.