Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says deportation orders for international students caught up in a fraud scheme have been put on hold while a task force investigates each case.
Hundreds of students might have been affected by the scheme, which saw immigration agents issue fake acceptance letters to get international students into Canada.
Some students had no idea their documents were forged until it came time for them apply for permanent residency.
🔹 Taskforce formed to protect & help fraud victims
— Sean Fraser (@SeanFraserMP) June 14, 2023
🔹 Imminent deportations halted during review
🔹 Genuine students victimized by fraud won’t face deportation and will be eligible to remain in Canada
🔹 Those complicit in fraud will face removal pic.twitter.com/MKfKnCSscr
Fraser says the department is aware of only few dozen who have been ordered to leave the country, and that process will be paused.
A task force of senior immigration and border control officials will go through each case to determine whether the student was in the know about the scam or not.
The minister says those who are believed to be innocent victims will be offered the chance to stay in Canada for several years while they apply for permanent residency or complete their studies.
