Thousands of international students in Canada protest against new immigration policies that threaten their residency status. With over 70,000 students facing potential deportation due to limits on study permits and a reduction in permanent residency nominations, the situation is increasingly urgent as protests erupt nationwide.
Thousands of international students in Canada are protesting against the government’s recent immigration policy changes that threaten their status. Over 70,000 graduates could face deportation due to new limits on study permits and a reduction in permanent residency nominations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced these changes amid a broader plan to decrease the number of temporary foreign workers in low-wage positions.
The protests have erupted nationwide as students establish encampments and rallies in provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island. This backlash follows the abolition of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program in 2021 and the imposition of a two-year cap on international student visas last year. With international students making up 37 percent of study visa holders in Canada, these changes have exacerbated existing issues related to housing and employment.
Many students, like Mehakdeep Singh, are expressing their concerns. Singh, who invested his family’s savings in his education, now faces an uncertain future as his work permit nears expiration. In June, the government announced that foreign nationals could no longer apply for PGWP at the border, a move targeting "flagpoling," which allowed temporary residents to expedite their permit applications. The situation has left many international students feeling vulnerable and fearing deportation as the government continues to enforce stricter immigration policies.
