Mariam, a bright student from Nigeria, came to Canada with dreams of building a successful career in healthcare. She enrolled in a nursing program at a well-known Canadian university, hoping that her education would pave the way for permanent residency and a stable future. However, recent changes to Canada’s immigration policies have cast a shadow over her aspirations. Despite her hard work and academic achievements, Mariam now faces the possibility of being forced to leave Canada due to delays and stricter requirements in the immigration process.
Mariam’s story is a reflection of the challenges faced by thousands of international students from Africa and other regions as they navigate an increasingly uncertain future in Canada.
Visa Arrangements and Study Plans
International students like Mariam typically come to Canada on a study permit, which allows them to pursue education at designated learning institutions. The primary purpose of this visa is to provide access to high-quality education and, for many, a pathway to permanent residency. These students often invest significant resources—taking out loans and using family savings—to cover Canada’s high tuition fees and living expenses.
The educational goals of international students in Canada are diverse, from undergraduate degrees to advanced research programs. Canada’s reputed education system, multicultural environment, and the promise of better career opportunities are major attractions. These students aim to contribute to the Canadian economy and society, hoping to secure permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
Challenges Faced by African Students
African students pursuing education in Canada encounter unique challenges that can make their journey more difficult than students from other regions. Let’s explore some of these struggles:
- Implicit Bias: The study permit application process may be influenced by implicit biases. Reports suggest that certain African nations are unfairly labeled, affecting approval rates. Stereotypes about Nigerians being “corrupt or untrustworthy” persist, which can lead to unjust rejections of study permit applications from Nigerian students and others from the continent.
- Financial Burden: African students grapple with higher financial burdens due to tuition fees, living costs, and the need to prove sufficient funds for their studies. This financial pressure is often compounded by the economic conditions in their home countries, making it even more challenging to afford education in Canada.
Despite these obstacles, African students continue to contribute to Canada’s academic landscape, and efforts to address these issues are important for promoting inclusivity and success.
The Impact of New Policies
Recent policy changes have further complicated the situation for international students in Canada, particularly for those from Africa. The Canadian government has introduced stricter regulations, making it more difficult for international students to transition to permanent residency. For instance, changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program now limit eligibility and reduce the time allowed to secure a job after graduation. Also, new rules require higher language proficiency scores and more stringent proof of financial stability, which has left many students, including Mariam, in a precarious position.
These changes have had a devastating impact on international students across Canada. More than 70,000 international student graduates now face the threat of deportation when their work permits expire at the end of this year. This looming crisis has sparked countrywide protests, with students rallying coast-to-coast to voice their frustrations and fears.
Rallying Coast-to-Coast
International students across Canada, mostly from Asia, are organizing protests in response to the looming threat of deportation. In Prince Edward Island, a group of students has set up encampments outside the legislative assembly, protesting overnight for more than three months. They are demanding action as new provincial policies, including a 25% reduction in permanent residency nominations, have left many unexpectedly vulnerable to deportation.
Similar scenes are unfolding in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia, where international students and advocacy groups are calling on the federal government to extend work permits and provide clear pathways to permanent residency. They argue that international students contribute significantly to the Canadian economy and deserve fair treatment.
One such student, Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student, shared his experience: “I spent the most crucial six years of my life taking many risks to come to Canada. For the past six years, I studied, I worked, I paid taxes, I earned enough CRS [Comprehensive Ranking System] points, but the government has just taken advantage of us.” Singh, like many others, is now facing the dreadful prospect of his work permit expiring, with no promise of permanent residency in sight.
Kanwar Sierah, an immigration consultant, explains the inconsistency in the system: “At first, there were CEC [Canadian Experience Class] draws every two weeks, so they prepared for that. Now, students don’t know when the next draws will be, causing huge backlogs.” This unpredictability has added to the stress and uncertainty faced by international students.
In Brampton and other cities, hundreds of international students and immigrant workers have held rallies, pushing back against a narrative that blames them for local housing and job crises. Advocacy groups, such as the International Sikh Student Organization, emphasize that these problems are rooted in broader policy failures rather than the migration of international students. They are calling for immediate action from the federal government to address these issues and protect the futures of those who have invested so much in their education and the Canadian economy.
Counterarguments: The Case for Policy Changes
While the protests and challenges faced by international students are significant, it is important to consider the arguments made by proponents of the recent policy changes. Federal government argue that these changes are necessary to address potential abuses or misuse of the immigration system. They highlight the need for stricter regulations to ensure that international students are genuinely pursuing academic and career opportunities in Canada, rather than exploiting the system for other purposes.
Proponents also argue that the new regulations are aimed at promoting fairness and equal opportunities for all international students, regardless of their country of origin. They believe that the adjustments are designed to create a level playing field, preventing any perceived bias or preferential treatment toward certain regions or nationalities. By implementing these changes, the Canadian government seeks to ensure that the immigration process is fair and transparent for everyone.
Furthermore, supporters of the policy changes contend that the Canadian government is continually reviewing and refining its immigration policies to align with the evolving needs of the country. They argue that periodic updates and adjustments are essential to address emerging challenges and ensure that the immigration system remains in the best interest of both Canada and international students. As Canada faces economic, social, and demographic changes, these policy shifts are seen as necessary to maintain a sustainable and balanced immigration system.
The Way Forward
The challenges faced by international students in Canada, particularly those from Africa like Mariam, highlight the complex nature of immigration policy. The twin issues of Immigration and Housing formed the just concluded Liberal Party retreat in Halifax. While the personal stories of these students underscore the need for supportive policies, it is also important to consider the broader context in which these changes are made. Balancing the aspirations of international students with the evolving needs of Canada is a delicate task that requires ongoing dialogue and adjustment.
As protests continue across the country, it is important to remember both the personal and policy-driven aspects of this debate. Addressing these issues in a way that honors the commitments made to international students while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system is a matter of fairness and is essential for maintaining Canada’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive destination for international students.
