Tens of Thousands Facing Deportation as Canada’s Promised “Study. Explore. Work. Stay.” Dream Turns into a Nightmare
Former international students in the Greater Toronto Area, whose work permits are expiring or have already expired, are facing a critical situation. With tens of thousands of individuals across Canada in jeopardy of deportation or regularization issues, these students are reaching out to elected officials for urgent intervention.
The Canadian government’s longstanding slogan, “Study. Explore. Work. Stay,” has been a beacon of hope for many international students. Lured by the promise of establishing a stable life in Canada, these students invested heavily in their education and livelihoods. Many sold their land, incurred substantial debt, and paid high tuition fees, only to endure significant exploitation by employers and landlords. Their contributions, including working in essential sectors during the pandemic, have added approximately $22 billion annually to the Canadian economy.
However, recent policy changes have closed pathways to Permanent Residency (PR) and made eligibility criteria more restrictive. This shift has left between 70,000 and 130,000 former international students facing the threat of deportation as their Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWP) expire. The abrupt closure of PR pathways and the tightening of eligibility criteria have exacerbated the crisis, leaving many in limbo.
The current situation is reminiscent of Canada’s past immigration policies, such as the Komagata Maru and the Chinese Head Tax, which were marred by exploitation and discrimination. A recent UN report also highlighted Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program as a “breeding ground” for “modern slavery.”
In response to these challenges, former international students have collaborated with counterparts in PEI, BC, and Manitoba to meet with elected officials and demonstrate publicly. Their committee has outlined several key requests:
- Extend Work Permits: Immediate extension of work permits expiring in 2024-25 to alleviate financial, physical, and psychological distress.
- Five-Year PGWP: Extension of the PGWP from 1-3 years to 5 years to allow sufficient time for navigating PR processes.
- End LMIA Exploitation: Address the highly exploitative nature of the LMIA process, which includes black-market job sales and significant financial costs.
- Fair PR Pathways: Establish consistent domestic draws for PR applications and separate draws for Provincial Nominee Programs and Canadian Experience Class streams to ensure a balanced and fair approach.
- Combat Racist Rhetoric: Address and counteract statements that blame immigrants and international students for housing and job crises, which have fueled racist remarks and attacks.
As a last resort, the committee has initiated a permanent protest at 295 Queen Street E, Brampton, starting August 30. This protest has garnered support from Canadian citizens and trade union members, highlighting the growing discontent and urgency of the situation.
The committee urges elected officials to take immediate action to address these pressing issues and uphold the promise of the Canadian dream for international students.
