Despite graduating, these students now face deportation.
Hundreds of Indian students in Canada’s Prince Edward Island are facing deportation, sparking a protest.
This is due to a recent change in provincial laws.
However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it had no reports or updates on the deportation of Indian students from Canada.
The protest has entered its second week and students say they will continue to fight for their rights in this “now-or-never situation”.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “A large number of students have gone to Canada to study.
“The figure is pretty significant. But we haven’t come across several students facing deportation… We do not have any updates on that. We are not aware.
“There may be one case here or one case there. But we don’t see any major problem as far as students in Canada are concerned.”
The protesting students have scheduled an assembly meeting on May 23, 2024, which will be held at 175 Richmond Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.”
The province recently changed the rules of its Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP) to reduce the number of immigrants due to the issue putting a strain on its healthcare and housing infrastructure.
Protesting students have accused the provincial Canadian government of suddenly changing immigration rules and refusing them work permits.
Despite graduating, these students now face deportation.
They have demanded an extension of work permits and a review of the recent changes to immigration policies.
Rupinder Pal Singh, one of the protest leaders, said:
“We have three demands that we are focusing on.”
Rupinder, who came from India in 2023, continued:
“First, we demand to be grandfathered into the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) system because we were already here, working on valid work permits before the new rules were implemented.
“It is only fair that those who were present before the changes be allowed to continue under the old system.
“Secondly, we call for fair PNP draws without a point system.”
“Recently, sales and services, food sectors, and even truckers have been excluded from the PNP draws, despite our hard work and contributions.
“We deserve the same opportunities as other sectors, and the current point system, which requires 65 points, is nearly impossible for those under 25 to achieve.
“Lastly, we demand an extension of our work permits.
“Due to the government’s changes and economic issues, our work permits were effectively wasted, causing many of us to lose our jobs.
“It is only fair that our work permits be renewed to compensate for the lost time and opportunities.”
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