A group of individuals who participated in a lengthy international student protest in northeast Calgary are facing potential immigration issues, as per an immigration attorney. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) revealed that its officers were called to the protest location to verify the immigration statuses of attendees. Out of the 20 individuals checked, 12 were flagged as potentially inadmissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. These individuals were requested to appear at the CBSA office for further interviews later the same day, with no additional details disclosed due to privacy regulations.
The CBSA emphasized that individuals subject to immigration enforcement, including potential removal from Canada, are entitled to due process. The protest, led by international graduates advocating for work permit concerns, took place near the Genesis Centre at Saddletowne Circle.
Similar demonstrations are occurring in Edmonton, where some Alberta students are engaging in hunger strikes to highlight similar issues. Graduates from Portage College expressed disappointment after being denied post-graduation work permits that they believed they were eligible for. Portage College is seeking clarification from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding these refusals.
Calgary Police Service sought assistance from CBSA following complaints about the protest, which had been largely peaceful but had generated complaints about noise, obstruction of businesses, and public intoxication. The police intervened when individuals were obstructing the sidewalk, leading to a request for identification from those setting up structures without permission on city property.
Jatin Shory, an immigration lawyer, advised a group of students challenging work permit denials against participating in public protests. He highlighted the uniqueness of the situation, where a significant number of individuals are now officially undocumented and drawing attention to their status. Shory suggested that CBSA’s actions may signal a shift in Canada’s immigration enforcement approach.
While the outcome of the interviews with the CBSA remains undisclosed, Shory mentioned that receiving an exclusion order – mandating immediate departure from Canada, confirmation with CBSA, and a one-year ban on re-entry – is a common consequence for individuals without legal status in the country. Fighting this order through legal means is challenging, and removal could occur swiftly, possibly within weeks.
