In response to a request from Aam Aadmi Party MP and World Punjabi Organization International President, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, the Canadian government has elected to temporarily suspend the expulsion of 700 Indian students.
Vikramjit Singh Sahney announced on Friday that, thanks to his appeal and the support of the Indian High Commission, the decision to deport these students has been put on hold.
Sahney communicated with the Canadian authorities, clarifying that the students are not guilty of any fraudulent activities. Instead, they are victims, duped by illegal agents who provided them with counterfeit admission letters and payment receipts. Their visa applications were processed without any verification, and upon arrival, they were permitted entry by the immigration department, explained Sahney.
Sahney emphasized that the students are innocent and are merely victims of a scam. He also indicated that a committee will be established to further investigate the issue.
Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, the Minister for NRI Affairs in Punjab, wrote to Sanjay Kumar Verma, the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, and Cameron Mackay, the Canadian High Commissioner to India, on Friday. He sought their intervention in the matter of 700 students who are at risk of being deported from Canada.
As per the Punjab Information and Public Relations Department, Dhaliwal's letter highlighted the looming threat of deportation faced by over 700 students from Canada because of counterfeit acceptance letters from Canadian colleges. He stressed the innocence of these students, arguing that they were victims of a conspiracy involving a travel agent, personnel at the Canadian Embassy in India, and other entities in Canada.
The individual later pleaded for their personal involvement in the situation.
"I would be immensely appreciative if this issue could be personally addressed. The fate of these students and their families hangs in the balance. You are urged to liaise with the relevant departments of MEA and the Canadian Government to prevent these students from being expelled," the letter stated.
Previously, on June 7, Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal, the Punjab NRI Affairs Minister, called on the Central Government to resolve the predicament of 700 Indian students, primarily from Punjab, who are caught up in an immigration scam in Canada and are subject to deportation proceedings.
In a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Dhaliwal insisted that students should not be expelled but granted work permits in light of their visas.
He also pleaded with Home Minister Amit Shah to collaborate with the Punjab Government in order to penalize travel agents who have deceived students.
"I've also requested a meeting with the EAM so I can personally bring this issue to the attention of the Government of India," added Dhaliwal.
He further emphasized the need for stringent laws to prevent future incidents of human trafficking.
Additionally, Dhaliwal urged Punjab's residents to thoroughly check the details of the college and the track record of the travel agent before planning to go overseas or sending their children for education.