Around 500 Punjabi students in Canada are facing the threat of deportation after their applications for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) were rejected.
In protest, approximately 1,000 Indian students have been demonstrating for the past three weeks. Despite rain, scorching sun, and inclement weather, the students remain steadfast on the streets of Calgary, Alberta.
Seeking answers from Canadian immigration officials, some students even began a hunger strike on July 29. The students argue that the rules and assurances upon which they enrolled in college—and spent lakhs of rupees to complete their education—are now being disregarded; their studies are being deemed “non-creditable,” leading to the denial of work permits.
Many female students are suffering from depression as a result, compounded by the burden of family debt. Having studied in Canada, they believe they deserve the opportunity to work there. They are calling on Canadian authorities to review their cases.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have stated that while they would not label Portage College a “fake degree mill,” they believe the institution may have exaggerated the prospects regarding Permanent Residency (PR). They also clarified that international students whose visas expire and who do not secure Permanent Residency will have to return to their home countries.
The students stated that they enrolled in these programs believing they would be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit upon completion of their studies. However, many subsequently received rejection letters from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), rendering them unable to work in Canada after graduation.
The students noted that the sudden refusal of work permits has plunged many into depression, adding to the pressure of repaying family debts. Work permit applications for approximately 250 students from Calgary-based Portage College in Alberta have been rejected within a span of two days; this figure could potentially rise to 2,000.
Legal experts advise: Do not re-apply; approach the court instead.
Legal consultants Raman Chahal and Harvir Sidhu attended a meeting and explained the available legal avenues to the students. The lawyers recommended immediately submitting a request for reconsideration to the immigration department via a web form. CS Immigration has announced that it will handle this process for all students free of charge. Students must challenge the decision in Federal Court within 15 days of receiving the refusal notice. Experts warned students against re-applying for a work permit, noting that a second rejection could lead to an immediate notice to leave the country.