‘Canada must not go down that road’: More than 250 organizations demand investigation into CBSA after student protesters issued exclusion orders

More than 250 organizations are demanding a full-scale investigation into removal orders issued to 10 international students following a protest in Calgary in mid-August.

On Aug.12, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) checked the immigration status of the students after a weeks-long international student protest in northeast Calgary and ordered some students removed from the country.

More than 250 organizations, including civil liberties, human rights, labour, faith, environmental, migrant and refugee groups, are demanding an independent investigation and clear rules to ensure that protesting never triggers immigration enforcement.

More than 1,500 Portage College students completed programs that were eligible for post-graduation work permits when they enrolled, and were told that students already in the programs would remain eligible as the rules changed.

After graduating, however, their permit applications were denied, prompting students to organize round-the-clock protests in Calgary and Edmonton. 

The CBSA attended the protests and checked protesters’ immigration status after the Calgary Police Service asked them to do so, according to CBC.

The CBSA, referred 12 people for further investigation and issued exclusion orders to 10.

Exclusion orders mean a person must leave the country and cannot return for one year.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, organizers are demanding an independent investigation into the actions of Calgary police and the CBSA.

“Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental Charter-protected rights,” reads the letter. “They do not belong only to Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

“We have all watched in horror as immigration enforcement in the United States has been used against immigrants engaged in political expression. Canada must not go down that road.”

As well as the immediate suspension of the removal order, the coalition is asking for clear public policies to ensure protest never again leads to immigration enforcement. They are also demanding the federal government process work permits for the Portage College graduates under the rules that applied when they enrolled.

The letter comes ahead of planned demonstrations on Sept. 20 in Toronto, Vancouver, Fredericton and Ottawa.