Study in Canada
Over 250 Organizations Demand Investigation After CBSA Removal Orders at Calgary Student Protest
More than 250 Canadian organizations are demanding an investigation after CBSA removal orders were issued to international graduates following a student protest in Calgary. The organizations are also calling for clear protections for migrants participating in peaceful demonstrations.
The controversy began after the Canada Border Services Agency checked the immigration status of international graduates during an August 12 protest connected to Post-Graduation Work Permit refusals.
According to the coalition behind the open letter, ten protesters were issued removal orders following the immigration enforcement action.
More Than 250 Organizations Call for an Independent Investigation
The coalition includes organizations representing civil liberties, labour, human rights, migrant and refugee communities.
Among the organizations supporting the call are Amnesty International Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
The groups are demanding an independent investigation into the actions of the Calgary Police Service and the Canada Border Services Agency during the August protest.
They are also calling for:
- The suspension of the removal orders
- Clear policies preventing immigration enforcement from being triggered by peaceful protests
- A review of the affected graduates’ work permit cases
The coalition argues that migrants should be able to participate in peaceful demonstrations without fearing immigration consequences.
The Calgary Protest Was Linked to PGWP Refusals
The affected students graduated from vocational programs connected to Portage College campuses in Calgary and Edmonton.
According to the organizations supporting the graduates, the programs were considered eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, or PGWP, when many students enrolled in 2024.
However, the dispute intensified after Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada added language to its website in June 2026 excluding certain “non-credit” programs from PGWP eligibility.
The coalition argues that this change affected graduates who enrolled believing they would qualify for a Canadian work permit after completing their studies.
The groups claim that previous guidance provided to students and the educational institution indicated that currently enrolled students would not be affected.
Hundreds of International Graduates Could Be Affected
According to the information provided by the organizations, as many as 1,500 graduates could potentially be affected by the PGWP eligibility dispute.
Many students reportedly paid significant tuition fees and completed their programs expecting to become eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
The situation has created uncertainty for international students who planned their education and future immigration pathways around the rules and information available when they enrolled.
For many international graduates, a PGWP can provide an important opportunity to gain Canadian work experience.
That experience may later support eligibility for permanent residence in Canada through programs such as Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs.
CBSA Checked Protesters’ Immigration Status
According to the coalition’s account, police attended the August 12 demonstration following concerns related to access to a sidewalk.
The CBSA subsequently checked the immigration status of protesters.
The organizations state that twenty individuals were checked, twelve were directed to a CBSA office and ten received removal orders on the same day.
The coalition has raised concerns about the timing of the enforcement action, noting that some affected students reportedly had ongoing Federal Court challenges and were within a restoration period.
The organizations are now seeking an independent review of how immigration enforcement was carried out during the protest.
Groups Raise Concerns About the Right to Peaceful Protest
A major part of the coalition’s argument relates to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The groups argue that these protections should apply to everyone in Canada regardless of immigration status.
They are calling for public policies that clearly separate peaceful political participation from immigration enforcement.
The issue has generated broader discussion about the rights of international students in Canada, temporary residents and other migrants to participate in public demonstrations.
The organizations argue that fear of immigration enforcement could discourage vulnerable communities from exercising their rights.
What Happens Next for the Affected Students?
The organizations are requesting that the removal orders be suspended while the situation is independently investigated.
They are also calling for affected Portage College graduates to have their work permit cases assessed according to the eligibility requirements and guidance that applied when they enrolled.
However, the future outcome will depend on decisions by the relevant authorities and any ongoing legal proceedings.
The case also highlights the importance of understanding PGWP eligibility requirements before enrolling in a Canadian educational program.
International students should regularly check official IRCC requirements because immigration rules and program eligibility can change.
Why This Case Matters for International Students in Canada
The Calgary dispute has implications beyond the students directly involved.
Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program is an important part of the journey for many people who choose to study in Canada.
Students often use a PGWP to gain Canadian work experience before pursuing permanent residence.
Changes to program eligibility can therefore have significant consequences for education and immigration planning.
The case has also raised broader questions about immigration enforcement, peaceful protest and how government policy changes affect students already enrolled in Canadian programs.
For international students and graduates, the situation reinforces the importance of verifying program eligibility through official government sources and maintaining updated information about Canadian immigration rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are organizations demanding an investigation into the Calgary student protest?
More than 250 organizations are calling for an independent investigation after CBSA immigration enforcement resulted in removal orders being issued to ten international graduates following the protest.
2. What was the Calgary student protest about?
The protest involved international graduates facing Post-Graduation Work Permit refusals connected to questions about the eligibility of certain vocational programs.
3. What is a Post-Graduation Work Permit?
A PGWP is an open work permit available to eligible graduates of certain Canadian educational programs and institutions.
4. How many students reportedly received removal orders?
According to the coalition’s account, ten protesters were issued removal orders following immigration status checks.
5. Why is this issue important for international students in Canada?
The dispute highlights how changes or clarifications to PGWP eligibility can affect students who plan to gain Canadian work experience and potentially pursue permanent residence.
