Miracle’s Question 1
Can you please explain about refugees and how they impact Canada?
Response by Syed Riaz:
RCIC, iCanHelp Immg.Services
Statistics are great, and I understand that they can sometimes oversimplify an issue.
However, the difference between significant and not-so-great policies is how you present the data. It was very daunting to know that every minute, twenty-four people are displaced, and one in every hundred and thirteen people on earth is an asylum seeker, internally displaced, or a refugee.
I want to provide an example of migration from our history. Hijrah, the migration of the Prophet Mohammed, is central to the Islamic faith. In May 622 CE, the Prophet Mohammed fled from Mecca to Yathrib (later renamed Medina), escaping an assassination plot. The welcome and protection that the Yathrib people offered the Prophet became a model for Muslims’ hospitality to strangers. important to understand the complexity of migration. Refugees, asylum seekers, and economic migrants all play a crucial role in global migration. Each migration story is influenced by a mix of social, economic, political, and geographic factors that are often difficult to fully grasp. This understanding is essential for developing empathy, a key factor in providing support for migrants. It allows us to navigate the vast global
phenomenon of migration, which has resulted in 244 million people living in countries where they were not born, with a compassionate and understanding approach.
Canada, as a signatory to the Geneva Convention, plays a significant role in this.
Presently, 235,825 refugees are inside Canada, a testament to our commitment to supporting and assisting migrants. The United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has noted that 1.6 million new asylum claims were filed worldwide in the first half of 2023. The budget and resources for refugees are always proactively allocated, demonstrating our ongoing commitment and support. This is a reason for us to be proud of our country’s efforts in this global issue.
“When we forget our personal and collective migration stories,” Daniel Groody argues, “we risk losing a part of our shared human experience. Immigrants easily become the targets of social problems and are quickly typecast as a threat to the common good.” Acknowledging and respecting these stories to foster a more inclusive society is crucial.
Question 2
How many students in Canada have work permits expiring this year, and what do you recommend?
Syed Riaz: With 70,000 student work permits set to expire in 2024, it is vital to address these young individuals’ emotional and legal support needs. They all came to Canada with dreams and aspirations to become PR in Canada. At this stage, emotional support is crucial, if not more so, as students often face significant stress and anxiety during legal proceedings. Having access to encouragement and reassurance can make a profound
difference.
Our government should establish a comprehensive student support program to prevent these students from becoming political pawns. Such a program would provide tailored assistance through student accompaniment organizations, addressing the unique needs of diverse populations and helping them navigate the immigration system while safeguarding their rights and well-being. I have assisted many students in making the right choices.
Students must maintain proper records and return to their respective countries without committing violations. By doing so, they will preserve their eligibility and have good opportunities to return to Canada or explore other countries of their choice.
Question 3
What is the latest news about the conversion of visitors’ work permits? 
Syed Riaz: On August 28, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the immediate termination of a temporary public policy that permitted visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada.
The policy, introduced in August 2020, was designed to assist visitors who could not return to their home countries due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It allowed visitors in Canada to apply for work permits without having to leave the country. Additionally, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but had changed their status to “visitor” could apply to work legally in Canada while awaiting a decision on their new work permit application.
Flagpoling remains an option at the border for obtaining a work permit, even though the online application process for work permits is currently closed.
Question 4
What is the meaning of “flagpole”?
Syed Riaz: “Flagpoling" refers to the process by which a foreign national currently in Canada exits the country and re-enters without crossing into the USA. This procedure is often used to obtain a new temporary residence status, such as renewing a study or work permit, or to complete the Permanent Residency (PR) process.
The term " flag poling" originated because foreign nationals already in Canada would go
to a border, essentially travel " around the flagpole, and then present themselves at the border to complete their process.
the immigration minister announced updates for students today.
Question5
Could you please highlight a few of new Immigration changes?
Syed Riaz: The key highlights from the announcement on September 18th are as follows: The planned decrease of temporary residents in Canada from 6.5% to 5% of the total population will be included in the Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027, set to be released by November 1, 2024. Graduates from public colleges can still obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for up to three years if they complete programs in areas facing long-term labor shortages. New PGWP applicants must demonstrate language proficiency, with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates, effective November 1, 2024. Additionally, master’s and doctoral students will need a provincial attestation letter for the 2025–2026 study permit intake cap, with 12% of spaces reserved for them. I will conclude with the Minister’s statement: “Coming to Canada is a privilege, not a right.” For personalized guidance, it’s best to consult authorized consultants or immigration lawyers to help you choose the right pathway. Thank you!
Miracle’s Note:
Please send your reviews about govt immigration policy and
any further immigration-
related inquiries.
Miracle doesn’t need to agree upon all answers.
Email: miraclenews@telus.net
