A group of individuals participating in a lengthy international student demonstration in northeast Calgary are facing potential immigration issues, with 12 of them flagged as potentially inadmissible and at risk of being asked to leave Canada, as per an immigration attorney.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed that its officers were summoned to the protest location on Wednesday to verify the immigration statuses of the attendees. Out of 20 individuals checked, 12 were identified as potentially inadmissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, according to a CBSA representative.
The identified individuals were requested to appear at the CBSA office for further interviews on the same day, with no additional information disclosed due to privacy regulations, the spokesperson stated. The agency emphasized that individuals facing immigration enforcement, including removal orders, are entitled to due process under the law.
The protest, which took place near the Genesis Centre at Saddletowne Circle, involved international graduates and supporters advocating for improvements to work permit issues. Similar demonstrations are also occurring in Edmonton, where Alberta students are engaging in hunger strikes to highlight the matter.
Several graduates from Portage College expressed disappointment after being denied post-graduation work permits despite their initial expectations. Portage College is seeking clarification from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding the matter, stating that historical practices and information available at the time led to misunderstandings.
The Calgary Police Service sought support from CBSA following complaints of disturbances during the protest. The police stated that while the demonstration had been mostly peaceful, noise complaints and other disruptions triggered the intervention. CBSA officers initially checked the status of four individuals, leading to a broader examination due to non-compliance with immigration regulations by two individuals.
Jatin Shory, an immigration lawyer representing around twelve students contesting their work permit refusals in federal court, advised against participating in public protests. He highlighted the unique situation of a large group of individuals openly acknowledging their undocumented status, likening it to vulnerable prey awaiting predators.
Shory emphasized the evolving nature of immigration enforcement in Canada and the need for compliance with regulations. He mentioned that individuals without legal status in Canada are typically issued exclusion orders following CBSA interviews, requiring immediate departure and a one-year ban from re-entering the country.
Legal avenues exist to challenge exclusion orders, but Shory noted the difficulty in overturning such decisions. He warned that removal procedures could be initiated swiftly, potentially resulting in expulsion within weeks.