A group of individuals who participated in an extended international student demonstration in northeast Calgary are facing potential inadmissibility issues, which may lead to their departure from Canada, as per an immigration attorney. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) revealed that its officers were deployed to the protest site to verify the immigration statuses of 20 attendees, with 12 individuals identified as potentially inadmissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
After the status verification process, the implicated individuals were asked to attend follow-up interviews at the CBSA office on the same day. The CBSA spokesperson refrained from disclosing further details due to privacy regulations. The agency emphasized that individuals subject to immigration enforcement, including removal orders, are entitled to due process under the law.
The protest, staged by international graduates and their supporters, addressed concerns regarding work permit issues near the Genesis Centre at Saddletowne Circle. Similar demonstrations are also unfolding in Edmonton, where some Alberta students are resorting to hunger strikes to spotlight the matter.
Graduates from Portage College voiced their disappointment after being denied post-graduation work permits despite believing they were eligible. Portage College is seeking clarification from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding this issue. IRCC stated that students commencing their studies before May 2024 are unaffected by the recent changes. It stressed the importance of verifying program eligibility before applying for post-graduation work permits.
Calgary Police Service summoned CBSA assistance following complaints related to a peaceful but noisy protest disrupting businesses and pedestrians. The CBSA initially verified the status of four individuals, leading to a broader check when two were found non-compliant. Immigration lawyer Jatin Shory cautioned around a dozen students challenging work permit denials against participating in public protests, likening the situation to vulnerable prey awaiting predators.
While CBSA’s actions remain undisclosed, Shory mentioned the likelihood of exclusion orders being issued following interviews with non-status individuals, mandating immediate departure from Canada with a one-year prohibition on re-entry. Legal recourse exists, but success rates are low, potentially resulting in swift enforcement of removal orders.
