A group of individuals involved in an international student protest in northeast Calgary have been identified as potentially not meeting admissibility requirements and may face expulsion from Canada, according to an immigration attorney. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) responded to the protest location to verify the immigration statuses of 20 participants, with 12 individuals flagged as potentially inadmissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
The CBSA spokesperson stated that the identified individuals were requested to appear at the CBSA office for further interviews on the same day. However, due to privacy regulations, specific details on these cases were not disclosed. The agency emphasized that individuals subject to immigration enforcement actions, including removal orders, are entitled to due process under the law.
The protest, which had been ongoing for weeks near the Genesis Centre at Saddletowne Circle, involved international graduates and supporters advocating for improvements to work permit issues. Similar demonstrations are also taking place in Edmonton, where some Alberta students are engaging in hunger strikes to raise awareness about the matter.
Several graduates from Portage College voiced concerns after their post-graduation work permits were denied despite their initial expectations of eligibility. Portage College is seeking clarification from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding the situation. The IRCC confirmed that students commencing studies before May 2024 are unaffected by recent changes, clarifying that refusals are linked to specific program criteria.
The Calgary Police Service enlisted the assistance of CBSA following reports of disturbances during the protest. The demonstration, which began on July 24, was described as mostly peaceful, yet complaints were lodged regarding noise levels, obstruction of businesses, and public intoxication. Police intervened when individuals were obstructing sidewalks without permits, leading to requests for identification and subsequent verification by CBSA.
Jatin Shory, an immigration lawyer representing a group of students challenging work permit denials, cautioned against public protests, emphasizing the vulnerability of individuals without legal status. He highlighted the evolving landscape of immigration in Canada and the potential consequences for those not complying with regulations. While the outcomes of the interviews conducted by CBSA remain undisclosed, Shory mentioned the likelihood of exclusion orders being issued, mandating immediate departure from Canada with a one-year ban on reentry.
Legal options exist to contest exclusion orders, but Shory noted the difficulty in successfully overturning such decisions, indicating that removal procedures could be initiated within a short timeframe.
