A group of individuals who participated in a lengthy international student demonstration in northeast Calgary are now under scrutiny for potential inadmissibility, raising the possibility of them being compelled to depart from Canada, as stated by an immigration attorney.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) deployed officers to the protest location on Wednesday to assess the immigration statuses of the attendees. Subsequently, it was revealed that out of the 20 individuals whose statuses were verified, 12 were flagged as potentially inadmissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
According to a CBSA representative, the identified individuals were summoned to the CBSA office for a follow-up interview later that day, with no further details disclosed due to privacy regulations. The agency emphasized that all individuals subject to immigration enforcement, including those facing removal from Canada, are entitled to due process under the law.
The protest, initiated by international graduates and supporters, centered on work permit concerns near the Genesis Centre at Saddletowne Circle. Similar demonstrations are taking place in Edmonton, with Alberta students resorting to hunger strikes to highlight the issue.
Several graduates from Portage College expressed disappointment after being denied post-graduation work permits, a situation that the college is seeking clarification on from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The IRCC clarified that students commencing studies before May 2024 are unaffected by the changes, emphasizing the importance of verifying program eligibility before applying for a post-graduation work permit.
Calgary Police Service enlisted the CBSA’s assistance following complaints related to a peaceful protest escalating to disturbances and public nuisances. The CBSA, initially called in to verify the status of four individuals, expanded their checks due to non-compliance with immigration status by two individuals.
Jatin Shory, an immigration lawyer representing a group of students contesting work permit rejections, cautioned against public protests. He highlighted the unique predicament of a considerable number of individuals openly acknowledging their undocumented status and speculated that the CBSA’s actions intend to signal a transformation in Canada’s immigration landscape.
While the outcome of the interviews with the 12 flagged individuals remains undisclosed, Shory noted that an exclusion order is a common consequence for those without legal status in Canada, mandating immediate departure and a one-year ban on reentry. Challenging this order through legal avenues is challenging, with potential enforcement of removal within weeks.