Permanent Residency Plans for Migrants Without a Legal Status in Canada
Post by : Admin on Jun 24,2024
The Federal Government in Canada may develop several pathways for undocumented migrant workers very soon in the coming month. This initiative is the result of a mandate letter sent by the Canadian Prime Minister to the former immigration minister, Sean Fraser in 2021. It is great news for all migrants with or without a legal status. They can apply for PR even if their permits have expired or they lack supporting migration documents.
What Gave Rise to the Permanent Residency Plans for Migrants?
In 2021, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau sent a mandate letter to Sean Fraser, the former immigration minister. The letter highlighted the importance of regularizing PR status for undocumented migrants residing in Canada and facing the risk of deportation. It also stated that the government needs to rebuild the existing pilot programs and help out the undocumented workers who contribute to Canadian communities.
In September 2023, legal or illegal migrants including students, undocumented people and refugees protested in Canadian cities to demand PR status for all. They demanded the government create an unbiased permanent residency program for all those migrants who have been working and living with their families in the country while facing the threat of deportation.
What is the Canadian Government Planning to do?
The Canadian Government is now planning to run cabinet debates during the summer session of the Parliament. Marc Miller, the Canadian Immigration Minister, brought forth a proposal which reflects how migrants without a legal status can attain permanent residency in the country. The illegal migrants also include former international students whose study permits have expired.
This is particularly unique news since Canada has already put a two-year ban on the admission of international students beyond a specific number. Public support for migration has come down recently as the influx of newcomers has created housing problems in the country.
The executive director of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, Syed Hussan, however, said that regularizing the PR status of undocumented migrants will NOT affect the housing crisis. On the contrary, the change could improve the country’s economy.
Final Thoughts,
Marc Miller plans to present and discuss the proposal in the cabinet this spring 2024. We can expect the country to consider migrants who are eligible for PR status and provide them with the necessary help. This demand to legalize undocumented migrant workers or students has been consistent for quite a few years. Radio-Canada, for instance, talked about the need to regularize undocumented migrant workers in October 2022.
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