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'.
Police in Chilliwack say a 29 year old man is in police custody following a high risk incident in which shots were allegedly fired at police. The call to shelter in place has been cancelled and an "active, ongoing, high-risk police incident" that began Monday night has been resolved.
Police say the remains of Irshaad Ikbal were found in False Creek. A passerby called police after seeing the man in the water. Ikbal had been missing since April 29th.
He made special emphasis on the great work that Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society does in the community and mentioning of the upcoming PICS Long Term Care Facility in Cloverdale - Guru Nanak Diversity Village, which will meet the needs of the community.
Corporal Jennifer Cooper says in the first two weeks of May, the force has seen more than a 100 per cent jump in reported thefts. She says many of the reported thefts are of early 2000s model vehicles.
Road closures between 102 Avenue and 104 Avenue on 128 Street are in place due to a serious motor vehicle collision. The road closure is in effect until further notice. 7 people from the two vehicles were injured and have been transported to local hospital.
Langley R-C-M-P say the driver of the Mercedes allegedly struck the cyclist and left the scene before officers arrived, but was quickly located. Police say the factors contributing to the crash have yet to be determined and no charges have yet been laid.
