Halt the removal of international students
Recommendations to protect the integrity of the program by targeting those who abuse it.
In a nutshell
The CBA’s Immigration Law Section is expressing concerns that recent changes to the international student program disproportionately penalize individuals who have acted in good faith rather than targeting bad-faith recruiters and other abusers.
The Section recognizes that addressing fraud and maintaining program integrity are important policy objectives. However, many international students have “invested significant time, money, and effort into studying and working in Canada, guided by government assurances of a pathway to permanent residence (PR).”
Recent changes to the program mean abrupt changes for tens of thousands of individuals, leaving them in limbo or facing potential removal from Canada.
“Many of these students are members of racialized and equity-deserving communities, who often face greater barriers in navigating the complexities of their immigration status,” the CBA letter reads.
“From a humanitarian standpoint, it is crucial to recognize the profound mental health toll these abrupt and destabilizing changes are imposing on international students.”
These changes could also harm Canada’s economy, as international students make significant contributions to economic activity. They may also damage Canada’s reputation internationally.
Recommendations
The CBA makes several recommendations, including:
- Creating permanent resident pathways for students already in Canada.
- Halting the removal of students until those pathways are clearly established.
- Introducing legislation to target bad actors, such as abusive consultants and employers who exploit international students and their families.
“Canada has long been recognized as a destination of opportunity and excellence,” the letter concludes.
“We urge the government to ensure that policies reflect Canada’s shared values of fairness, inclusion, and accountability—by protecting international students who come here in good faith and taking decisive action against those who exploit the system.”
Read the submission.
