Some Indian students in Canada receive stay orders on deportation notices

New Delhi: In major relief, some Indian students in Canada who had been served deportation orders over fake admission letters have recently received stay orders on their deportation notices, sources said on Sunday.

This has come following consistent efforts by India which has been taking up the matter with Canadian authorities—both in Canada and in New Delhi.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also took up with matter with his Canadian counterpart. Secretary (East), MEA also raised it during his visit to Canada in April this year. The Indian Consulate in Toronto, where most of the students are based, has also met many of the Indian students.

India repeatedly urged Canadian authorities to be fair and take a humanitarian approach since the students were not at fault, the source said.

India also pointed out that there were gaps in the Canadian system and a lack of diligence, owing to which the students were granted visas and also allowed to enter Canada.

Since then, Canadian parliamentarians across political parties have spoken in support of the students. Their Immigration Minister Sean Frasier indicated that Canada is actively pursuing a solution for international students who are facing uncertainty. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the need for fair treatment of the students.

“It is welcome that the consistent efforts by the Government of India has been instrumental in the Canadian Government adopting a humane approach and taking on board the perspective of the students,” the sources said, following the stay on deportation orders.

Some Indian students in Canada had been threatened with deportation for allegedly submitting fraudulent admission letters. The actual number is much less than the 700 being reported in the media, the sources added.

Most of these students had gone to Canada during 2017-2019. After completing their studies, some of them obtained work permits, while others continue to study in Canada.

Earlier, this week, EAM during a special media briefing had said that the Indian government is in talks with the Canadian authorities over the issue.

“For some time now there is this case of students who the Canadians say did not study in the college they should have and when they applied for work permit they got into difficulties.

“India has taken up their case, the MEA, Indian High Commission and consulates; Our point is that the students studied in good faith and if there were people who misled them then the culpable parties should be acted against. It is unfair to punish students who undertook their education in good faith.”

He cited the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau issuing a statement in the Canadian parliament in the regard.

“…They (Canadian authorities) are talking to the Indian High Commission.

“The Canadians accept that it would be unfair (to deport) if the student has done no wrong... I don’t know if all the cases are the same; if the student has done no wrong, they will try to find some solution for it, and we will continue to press and hope the Canadian system is fair in this regard,” the EAM added.

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. (UNI)