Written by Azka Zia
Canada finds itself entwined in a complex immigration predicament as about 700 Indian students, largely hailing from Punjab, India, are embroiled in a deceptive scheme concerning counterfeit college acceptance letters. The Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) sparked an investigation into the authenticity of these documents during the students' permanent residency applications, unearthing this multifaceted issue years following their initial arrival.
The shocking twist for the majority of these students, who had transitioned from their academic journey to their professional lives, was the discovery of their alleged unintentional use of fraudulent Letters of Acceptance (LOAs). Now, they stand on the precipice of potential deportation, which could also entail a five-year re-entry ban into Canada.
Punjabi ethnic media, serving as a vital conduit for this demographic, has stepped into the limelight in this unfolding saga. From spotlighting the students' predicament to mobilizing public sentiment, these outlets have captured the international community's attention. Figures in the local community such as Sandip Bhatti, host of Toronto’s CHTO AM 1690 Hulchul Radio, have utilized their platforms to criticize the perceived negligence of the immigration department, advocating for the exoneration of the students. Jagdish Grewal, a host on Brampton’s Radio Humsafar 1350 AM Khabarsar, critically examined the reluctance of the Liberals and NDP to engage in a debate regarding the issue.
Host Joginder Bassi of BBC Toronto Gaunda Punjab in Toronto appealed to the government to step in prior to any deportations, stressing the students' prolonged residency and financial contributions to Canada. Similar demands for action have echoed through ethnic media channels, with community members uniting to support the students.
Ethnic media outlets have amplified the students' voices, catalyzing a broader conversation about the systemic deficiencies in the immigration process. Their narratives propose a shift from punishment to justice, positioning the affected students as innocent casualties ensnared in an intricate web.
On a segment on June 13, radio host Sandip Bhatti of CHTO AM 1690 Hulchul Radio and current affairs expert Manan Gupta spotlighted the alleged negligence of the Canadian Immigration Department in scrutinizing documents thoroughly. They advocated for the students, emphasizing that the systemic shortcomings shouldn't unjustly burden those unwittingly caught in this extensive scam. The next day, this sentiment was reverberated on Radio Humsafar 1350 AM South Asian Voice Radio by Kulwinder Chhina, who faults the immigration department's lack of rigour in visa and work permit issuance.
The central thesis that resonates from this scenario and the narratives shaped by the ethnic media is clear: the government and institutions must prioritize justice for innocent students caught up in this immigration scandal over punitive measures. The focus should be on addressing systemic flaws, punishing the true perpetrators, and setting up robust safeguards to prevent such incidents in the future. The amplified coverage by Punjabi ethnic media has catalyzed an influx of demands for governmental action and a reassessment of the immigration process to safeguard innocent students from falling prey to such fraud.
In response to the crisis, Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has announced a temporary halt to pending deportations. At an Ottawa press conference, he emphasized the goal of a “fast, fair, and final” resolution for those affected. A dedicated task force has been commissioned to conduct a case-by-case analysis of all students facing removal orders, with the process expected to span several months.
At the centre of this controversy is Education Migration Services, an immigration consultancy agency based in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. Allegedly, students paid thousands of dollars to this company for visa applications and college enrolments, including tuition. The company's director, Brijesh Mishra, has been arrested in Canada. The Toronto Star reports that he managed to enter the country in October through the U.S. land border, without being detected, despite his visitor visa having been cancelled. He was arrested while trying to cross the U.S border again this month.
According to Canadian law, only consultants registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultant (CICC) or licensed lawyers can legally perform immigration consultation. Education Migration Services’ operations appear to breach these regulations, classifying it as a potential “ghost consultant.” These are unlicensed individuals posing as authorized immigration representatives or education affiliates who defraud international students for various immigration documents and then disappear.
A June 8 segment of Radio Humsafar 1350 AM South Asian Voice Radio brought NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's empathy for the deceived students into the spotlight. Singh appealed to the federal government for more compassionate immigration pathways for these individuals. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the fraudulent cases, emphasizing the government's determination to hold culprits accountable instead of punishing victims. Radio host Kulwinder Chhina discussed the criticism directed towards Singh for his belated commentary but lauded the politician for his assertive parliamentary speech on the matter. Callers on the show underscored the urgency to rectify systemic flaws in the immigration system and proposed amnesty for all affected students. The dialogue also highlighted concerns over the lack of warning signals during the issuance of work permits to these students.
Punjabi media outlets have predominantly criticized the government for its delayed verification of student visas. Oakville-based CJMR 1320 AM Rangla Punjab’s radio host, Arsh Chawla, lambasted the situation, lauding MPs, including Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, for championing student rights and opposing deportations. In contrast, Chawla censured Indian MPs who voted against a deportation stay motion, highlighting the grim prospects for deported students. Callers into the show urged community members to show their support for the students and criticized the immigration department for not accessing the documents at the time.
Brampton Regional Councillor Navjit Kaur Brar, as reported by South Asian Daily, also expressed her consternation, pointing to deceitful immigration consultants and unauthorized college-affiliated agents as the source of the students’ misfortunes. Brar argued that colleges employing these rogue agents were the real villains. On the other hand, Conservative MP Tim Uppal has attributed the issue to the government's initial negligence in verifying student documents.
In agreement with a caller's sentiment on WTOR 770 AM Radio South Asian Pulse Prime Time in Mississauga, radio host Yudhvir Jaswal urged for a halt to student deportations and an evaluation of the system's loopholes. Noting international students' struggles with job acquisition and gaining Canadian work experience, a caller suggested that the situation could serve as a catalyst for highlighting student exploitation. Another caller proposed granting permanent residence to international students upon education completion.
Advocate Balraj Kahlon has brought attention to unethical practices by private colleges in British Columbia concerning international students. These colleges have established close relationships with agents in India who act as recruiters, receiving commissions for each student they bring in. Unfortunately, this emphasis on immigration rather than education often leads students to enroll in low-value diploma programs that offer limited job prospects in Canada. Consequently, these students face challenges in meeting the expectations of their families, who hope for immigration sponsorship. For many of these private colleges, education seems to be a mere façade, with their main objective being profit from facilitating border crossings.
The increase in international student enrollment in Canadian post-secondary institutions is evident, with Statistics Canada reporting a 7% rise from 2015-2016, reaching 18% in 2019-2020. However, it is important to note that international students pay significantly higher tuition fees, sometimes up to three times more than local students. As a result, a small number of international students bear a significant portion of the costs associated with university education in Canada. This helps to offset the declining public funding for universities, which has been reduced by governments in recent years. Consequently, universities have become more reliant on tuition fees to cover their expenses. For instance, in 2019/2020, Ontario colleges relied on student fees for over half (54.0%) of their revenue, while public funding decreased to 32.2%. A similar trend has been observed in British Columbia, where public funding declined from almost two-thirds (63.8%) of total revenue about ten years prior to 49.3% in 2019/2020. This growing dependence on international student tuition fees raises concerns about equity and affordability in the education system.
The narratives constructed by ethnic media and the shifting public sentiment highlight the need for the government and relevant institutions to prioritize justice for innocent students affected by this immigration scandal, placing it above punitive measures. Reforms should focus on addressing systemic flaws, ensuring that the true perpetrators are held accountable, and implementing safeguards to prevent such scams from occurring in the future.
The role of India, which BBC reports as having the highest number of foreign student visa applicants, with Indian students paying around four to five times their Canadian counterparts' tuition fees, is significant in this context.
Given Indian students’ substantial contribution to Canada's international student body, making up nearly 40% in 2022 as per the ICEF Monitor, the outcome of this crisis will significantly affect Canada's international education future. The situation also challenges the integrity and efficiency of the Canadian immigration system in handling a rapidly growing international student population.
In resolving this crisis, the future of international education in Canada, significantly influenced by Indian students, hangs in the balance. Through extensive coverage, ethnic media has underscored the necessity of protecting these innocent students and sparked a discussion about effective checks and balances within the immigration system. The overarching aim is to secure a fair and empathetic solution for innocent students while holding the true culprits accountable.
Canada finds itself entwined in a complex immigration predicament as about 700 Indian students, largely hailing from Punjab, India, are embroiled in a deceptive scheme concerning counterfeit college acceptance letters. The Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) sparked an investigation into the authenticity of these documents during the students' permanent residency applications, unearthing this multifaceted issue years following their initial arrival.
The shocking twist for the majority of these students, who had transitioned from their academic journey to their professional lives, was the discovery of their alleged unintentional use of fraudulent Letters of Acceptance (LOAs). Now, they stand on the precipice of potential deportation, which could also entail a five-year re-entry ban into Canada.
Punjabi ethnic media, serving as a vital conduit for this demographic, has stepped into the limelight in this unfolding saga. From spotlighting the students' predicament to mobilizing public sentiment, these outlets have captured the international community's attention. Figures in the local community such as Sandip Bhatti, host of Toronto’s CHTO AM 1690 Hulchul Radio, have utilized their platforms to criticize the perceived negligence of the immigration department, advocating for the exoneration of the students. Jagdish Grewal, a host on Brampton’s Radio Humsafar 1350 AM Khabarsar, critically examined the reluctance of the Liberals and NDP to engage in a debate regarding the issue.
Host Joginder Bassi of BBC Toronto Gaunda Punjab in Toronto appealed to the government to step in prior to any deportations, stressing the students' prolonged residency and financial contributions to Canada. Similar demands for action have echoed through ethnic media channels, with community members uniting to support the students.
Ethnic media outlets have amplified the students' voices, catalyzing a broader conversation about the systemic deficiencies in the immigration process. Their narratives propose a shift from punishment to justice, positioning the affected students as innocent casualties ensnared in an intricate web.
On a segment on June 13, radio host Sandip Bhatti of CHTO AM 1690 Hulchul Radio and current affairs expert Manan Gupta spotlighted the alleged negligence of the Canadian Immigration Department in scrutinizing documents thoroughly. They advocated for the students, emphasizing that the systemic shortcomings shouldn't unjustly burden those unwittingly caught in this extensive scam. The next day, this sentiment was reverberated on Radio Humsafar 1350 AM South Asian Voice Radio by Kulwinder Chhina, who faults the immigration department's lack of rigour in visa and work permit issuance.
The central thesis that resonates from this scenario and the narratives shaped by the ethnic media is clear: the government and institutions must prioritize justice for innocent students caught up in this immigration scandal over punitive measures. The focus should be on addressing systemic flaws, punishing the true perpetrators, and setting up robust safeguards to prevent such incidents in the future. The amplified coverage by Punjabi ethnic media has catalyzed an influx of demands for governmental action and a reassessment of the immigration process to safeguard innocent students from falling prey to such fraud.
In response to the crisis, Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has announced a temporary halt to pending deportations. At an Ottawa press conference, he emphasized the goal of a “fast, fair, and final” resolution for those affected. A dedicated task force has been commissioned to conduct a case-by-case analysis of all students facing removal orders, with the process expected to span several months.
At the centre of this controversy is Education Migration Services, an immigration consultancy agency based in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. Allegedly, students paid thousands of dollars to this company for visa applications and college enrolments, including tuition. The company's director, Brijesh Mishra, has been arrested in Canada. The Toronto Star reports that he managed to enter the country in October through the U.S. land border, without being detected, despite his visitor visa having been cancelled. He was arrested while trying to cross the U.S border again this month.
According to Canadian law, only consultants registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultant (CICC) or licensed lawyers can legally perform immigration consultation. Education Migration Services’ operations appear to breach these regulations, classifying it as a potential “ghost consultant.” These are unlicensed individuals posing as authorized immigration representatives or education affiliates who defraud international students for various immigration documents and then disappear.
A June 8 segment of Radio Humsafar 1350 AM South Asian Voice Radio brought NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's empathy for the deceived students into the spotlight. Singh appealed to the federal government for more compassionate immigration pathways for these individuals. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the fraudulent cases, emphasizing the government's determination to hold culprits accountable instead of punishing victims. Radio host Kulwinder Chhina discussed the criticism directed towards Singh for his belated commentary but lauded the politician for his assertive parliamentary speech on the matter. Callers on the show underscored the urgency to rectify systemic flaws in the immigration system and proposed amnesty for all affected students. The dialogue also highlighted concerns over the lack of warning signals during the issuance of work permits to these students.
Punjabi media outlets have predominantly criticized the government for its delayed verification of student visas. Oakville-based CJMR 1320 AM Rangla Punjab’s radio host, Arsh Chawla, lambasted the situation, lauding MPs, including Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, for championing student rights and opposing deportations. In contrast, Chawla censured Indian MPs who voted against a deportation stay motion, highlighting the grim prospects for deported students. Callers into the show urged community members to show their support for the students and criticized the immigration department for not accessing the documents at the time.
Brampton Regional Councillor Navjit Kaur Brar, as reported by South Asian Daily, also expressed her consternation, pointing to deceitful immigration consultants and unauthorized college-affiliated agents as the source of the students’ misfortunes. Brar argued that colleges employing these rogue agents were the real villains. On the other hand, Conservative MP Tim Uppal has attributed the issue to the government's initial negligence in verifying student documents.
In agreement with a caller's sentiment on WTOR 770 AM Radio South Asian Pulse Prime Time in Mississauga, radio host Yudhvir Jaswal urged for a halt to student deportations and an evaluation of the system's loopholes. Noting international students' struggles with job acquisition and gaining Canadian work experience, a caller suggested that the situation could serve as a catalyst for highlighting student exploitation. Another caller proposed granting permanent residence to international students upon education completion.
Advocate Balraj Kahlon has brought attention to unethical practices by private colleges in British Columbia concerning international students. These colleges have established close relationships with agents in India who act as recruiters, receiving commissions for each student they bring in. Unfortunately, this emphasis on immigration rather than education often leads students to enroll in low-value diploma programs that offer limited job prospects in Canada. Consequently, these students face challenges in meeting the expectations of their families, who hope for immigration sponsorship. For many of these private colleges, education seems to be a mere façade, with their main objective being profit from facilitating border crossings.
The increase in international student enrollment in Canadian post-secondary institutions is evident, with Statistics Canada reporting a 7% rise from 2015-2016, reaching 18% in 2019-2020. However, it is important to note that international students pay significantly higher tuition fees, sometimes up to three times more than local students. As a result, a small number of international students bear a significant portion of the costs associated with university education in Canada. This helps to offset the declining public funding for universities, which has been reduced by governments in recent years. Consequently, universities have become more reliant on tuition fees to cover their expenses. For instance, in 2019/2020, Ontario colleges relied on student fees for over half (54.0%) of their revenue, while public funding decreased to 32.2%. A similar trend has been observed in British Columbia, where public funding declined from almost two-thirds (63.8%) of total revenue about ten years prior to 49.3% in 2019/2020. This growing dependence on international student tuition fees raises concerns about equity and affordability in the education system.
The narratives constructed by ethnic media and the shifting public sentiment highlight the need for the government and relevant institutions to prioritize justice for innocent students affected by this immigration scandal, placing it above punitive measures. Reforms should focus on addressing systemic flaws, ensuring that the true perpetrators are held accountable, and implementing safeguards to prevent such scams from occurring in the future.
The role of India, which BBC reports as having the highest number of foreign student visa applicants, with Indian students paying around four to five times their Canadian counterparts' tuition fees, is significant in this context.
Given Indian students’ substantial contribution to Canada's international student body, making up nearly 40% in 2022 as per the ICEF Monitor, the outcome of this crisis will significantly affect Canada's international education future. The situation also challenges the integrity and efficiency of the Canadian immigration system in handling a rapidly growing international student population.
In resolving this crisis, the future of international education in Canada, significantly influenced by Indian students, hangs in the balance. Through extensive coverage, ethnic media has underscored the necessity of protecting these innocent students and sparked a discussion about effective checks and balances within the immigration system. The overarching aim is to secure a fair and empathetic solution for innocent students while holding the true culprits accountable.