Chandigarh: A fresh wave of concern has emerged among Punjabi immigrants in Canada following the passage of a new immigration bill that could put nearly 9,000 Punjabis at risk of deportation.
According to available information, Canada’s immigration authorities have issued notices to around 30,000 refugees after the approval of Bill C-12, which introduces stricter provisions and revokes certain refugee protections. A significant number of those affected are Punjabi students and workers.
The development has triggered protests in Canada. On April 17, Punjabi students, along with international students from other countries, staged a demonstration in Winnipeg, demanding that the government refrain from cancelling work permits and halt deportation proceedings.
As part of the new process, authorities have issued notices to individuals whose work permits have expired and who are currently residing in Canada under refugee status. The notice asks them to justify why their asylum applications should not be rejected if they failed to apply within one year of arriving in the country.
Applicants have been asked to respond within 21 days, with the deadline set for May 3. They are required to submit documents proving medical emergencies or threats to their lives in their home countries. Failure to respond within the stipulated time could lead to cancellation of work permits and initiation of deportation proceedings.
The move has prompted many affected individuals to seek legal assistance.
Immigration data suggests that nearly 9,000 Punjabis are among those who have received notices. The Canadian government maintains that the objective of Bill C-12 is to identify and take action against individuals residing in the country without proper legal status.
Under the new law, refugee claims will no longer be processed through the Refugee Board in the same manner as before. Previously, individuals caught working without valid permits could apply for refugee status, with hearings often taking years, allowing them to continue working during that period.
The new framework tightens these provisions, requiring individuals to apply for asylum within one year of arrival. Failure to do so may result in immediate rejection and deportation.
It is noteworthy that nearly 150,000 students from Punjab enroll in Canadian colleges every year. After completing their courses, they are granted work permits. However, once these permits expire, many apply for refugee status to continue staying and working in the country. Under the new rules, this pathway has become significantly more restricted.
The policy shift is expected to have wide-ranging implications for thousands of Punjabi students and workers currently living in Canada.
