India welcomes Canada’s “humane approach” to Indian students threatened with deportation: Sources

India has welcomed the “humane approach” taken by the Canadian government in the matter of Indian students who have been threatened with deportation for allegedly submitting fraudulent admission letters, people in the know of the latest developments said on Sunday (June 11, 2023). It is learnt that some students have recently received stay orders on their deportation notices.

Most of these students went to Canada from 2017 to 2019 and some also acquired work permits. The number of such students is, however, believed to be lower than the figure of 700 that has been mentioned in recent media reports.

It has been learnt that representatives of the Indian Consulate in Toronto, where most of the students are based, have met many of them.

Since it came to light earlier this year, India has been taking up the matter with Canadian authorities, in Canada and in New Delhi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised the issue with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joy. Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs Saurabh Kumar had also raised it during his visit to Canada in April this year.

The Canadian authorities were repeatedly urged to be fair and take a humanitarian approach since the students were not at fault and the fraudulent admission letters had been issued by dubious education consultants. It was 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, a source said.

Since then, Canadian parliamentarians across political parties have spoken in support of the students. Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Frasier has indicated that Canada is actively pursuing a solution for international students who are facing uncertainty. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also 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 source noted.