Will evaluate each case: Trudeau on Indian students facing deportation
Darpan News Desk IANS, 08 Jun, 2023 11:02 AM
New Delhi/Ottawa, June 8 (IANS) Assuring the 700 Indian students who are facing deportation from Canada over fake admission letters, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said they will evaluate each case and the victims of fraud will have an opportunity to demonstrate their situation and present evidence to support their case.
The remarks came as hundreds of Indian students, mostly from Punjab, have been taking on to the streets in Canada saying they were cheated by their immigration consultation agency in India that provided them fake documents, of which they were unaware of.
"We are deeply aware of cases of international students facing removal orders over fraudulent college acceptance letters. To be clear, our focus is on identifying the culprits not penalising the victims," Trudeau said during a parliament debate on Wednesday.
"Victims of fraud will have an opportunity to demonstrate their situation and present evidence to support their case," the Prime Minister said, while responding to Sikh-origin NDP leader Jagmeet Singh's concerns on the state of defrauded students, who are set to be deported his month.
"We recognise the immense contributions international students bring to our country, and we remain committed to supporting victims of fraud as we evaluate each case," Trudeau said.
Singh's NDP is reportedly preparing to introduce a unanimous consent motion in Parliament to cancel removal orders to support these students while also facilitating a pathway to permanent residency for them.
It will also assist students who could face deportation due to bogus enrollment offers.
"So my question is... will the Prime Minister stay the deportation of all these students that are impacted and provide a pathway to permanent residency for these students?" Singh asked Trudeau, presenting the case of victims.
According to the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA), more than 700 Indian students are reportedly facing deportation after finding that their educational institution's admission offer letters were fake.
Most of these students had come to the country to study in 2018 and 2019.
The fraud was discovered when the students applied for permanent residency in Canada.
Brijesh Mishra, a Jalandhar-based agent, was responsible for providing fake admission letters, charging students thousands of dollars.
He charged more than Rs 16 lakh per student in addition to admission fees claiming to get them to prestigious colleges.
Meanwhile, students have been continuing with their sit-ins since May 29 at Airport Road of Mississauga, outside the CBSA's head office, holding banners saying, 'Unite against deportation', 'Stop deportation' and 'We want justice'.
British Columbia's largest public-sector union says it has accepted the government's invitation to resume talks following limited job action that began over a week ago. The B.C. General Employees' Union says it is expecting to return to the bargaining table "soon" as part of its negotiations with the Public Service Agency.
25-year old Surrey resident Bryce Dallas Campbell was arrested in relation to the homicides. On Monday, two charges of second degree murder and one charge of attempted murder were laid against Campbell, who remained in custody following his arrest on August 5.
At this time, investigators believe this to be an isolated incident with no connection to the Lower Mainland Gang Conflict. The victim has been identified, though his name is not being released at this time, to allow time for proper notification of the family.
Police were called to a residence in the 9000 block of 128 Street. Police located a man suffering serious injuries lying in the driveway of the residence.The suspects, described as three South Asian males, fled the area in a vehicle, believed to be a silver 4-door SUV.
DARPAN Magazine brings you highlights from some incredible events that took place over the weekend. The events featured the best of what the City of Surrey has to offer in terms of entertainment, culture, music and much more.
Vancouver Police responded shortly before 8 a.m. Monday after a man was seen acting erratically near East Hastings Street and Dunlevy Avenue. Following an interaction with police, the man was taken into custody. He then went into medical distress and lost consciousness.
