Neeraj Walia, president, of GNFB, in a letter to Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his concerns. He said that GNFB’s helpline has been overflowed with calls from students who are feeling insecure about their future. “We have been getting so many requests on our helpline number regarding the issue. We have received numerous of voicemail messages where students are telling about their bad conditions, retarred mental health, and how they are worried about their future. Sir clearly these students are the young generation all under the age of 24 which is why it is very important to support and guide them at the right time,” he said.
The news report quoted a student Chaman Singh Batth from Toronto who said that after passing +2, about 700 students applied for study visa through Education Migration Services, Jalandhar headed by Brijesh Mishra. These visa applications were filed in 2018 onwards till 2022.
According to the news once the students landed in Canada, they were informed by the agent that seats were not available and they should try some other college.
The students took admission in another college and after completion got work permits. “On becoming eligible for permanent resident status in Canada, the students, as per rule, submitted relevant documents to the immigration department, Batth said.
Batth said, “all trouble started when CBSA scrutinised the documents on the basis which visa was granted to the students and found admission offer letters fake. Deportation notices were issued to all the students after granting them an opportunity for a hearing.”
To a question, Batth replied that the agent very cleverly did not himself sign our visa application files but made each student sign to show that the student was a self-applicant without hiring the services of any agent. This was deliberately done by Mishra as he had faked the documents.
The student claimed that CBSA officials were now not accepting the claims of innocence of the “victims” as there was no evidence to prove that agent Mishra prepared and arranged all documents.
The only remedy left for the students is to challenge the deportation notices in court where proceedings may continue for 3 to 4 years. It is common knowledge that hiring the services of Canadian lawyers is a very costly proposition, according to the news report.
Surrey’ Walia in his letter to PM wrote that law and order should be maintained at every time; all the work should be done with proper rules and regulations. However, it is crucial to understand students’ situation. “When a person applies for his visa his documents are verified by the embassy after which their file is proceeded. If the immigration department security officers could not recognize the fake documents how could the common people notice the difference. Moreover, as per our conversation with many we have found that it is very evident that they themselves are victims of the fraud. We want to put forward our request in the favor of students. Their situation should be understood, and a proper investigation should be done to find the real faults for the case,” he explained.
“Prime Minister, I believe that much more needs to be done, as an international student/immigrant they should have complete information of the correct process, right lists of colleges and related institutions. There should be a proper system where a person can find whether it is a well established reputed institute/college/company/employer or not. This young generation is contributing a great part to the economy and working hard day and night for a better future so they have complete right to get help. I am urging you and the affiliated ministries with in the Government of Canada to immediately address the issue raised and the remedies suggested.”
