Indian student protest in Canada: police identify 12 people who do not have legal status and could be deported

While thousands of international students, mostly Indians, have been protesting against the denial of their work permits in Canada, the Calgary Police Service last week called the Canada Border Services Agency to verify whether the protesters are in the country legally. A police spokesperson told CBC News that the protest that began on July 24 was peaceful but then they began receiving complaints about excessive noise, obstruction of businesses, disturbances and public intoxication.Last week they received complaints that some protesters were blocking parts of a sidewalk and stopping pedestrians. “During that interaction, officers asked for identification from individuals who had set up tents or other structures without permission on city property,” a CPS spokesperson said. “As a result of concerns related to the identification provided, officers contacted the Canada Border Services Agency for verification.“

12 protesters declared illegal

CBSA confirmed that they verified the status of 20 people and that 12 were deemed possibly inadmissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The CBSA did not reveal the immigration status of these 12 protesters. But they will have access to due process under the law before being removed from Canada.Indian students are protesting in several other locations, but these 12 participated in the protest in northeast Calgary. Similar protests are happening in Edmonton.

Portage College row: Alberta premier says students have to go home

The protest began after thousands of students were denied work permits. They believed they would be allowed to work in Canada after completing their graduate studies at Portage College. But Canadian immigration made his course ineligible for a work permit and the university said it had nothing to do with it.Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has made it clear that she will not make room for these international students, saying there is not always a path to becoming a permanent resident of Canada. The key is to find a well-paying job wherever you are. “Sometimes education is aimed at improving skills so that the person can return home and get a good job in their country,” he said, advising protesters to pack their bags and go home.Immigration lawyer says he advised his clients not to attend protestsJatin Shory, a Calgary immigration lawyer with Shory Law who represents about a dozen students challenging the denial of their work permits in federal court, said he advised them not to attend any public protests. “This situation is unique in the context of immigration because this is a large group of now officially undocumented people effectively announcing that they are undocumented,” Shory told CBC. “It’s like sheep waiting for the fox to enter their den.“