Evidence of meeting #3 for Citizenship and Immigration in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was students.
A video is available from Parliament.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Programs, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Well, the statistics that I just provided you would be study permit holders who claimed asylum.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Okay. Let's try this. What are the top 10 nationalities among former students or PGWP holders now claiming asylum, and what primary grounds are being cited?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Programs, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
We would be able to provide to you the nationality. In terms of the claim type, or the grounds of claim, that would be available through the Immigration and Refugee Board.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Did you say that you would not be able to provide the nationality?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Programs, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
We would be able to.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Okay. Can you please do that? You can submit that to us after the fact.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Programs, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Okay.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
That would be good information.
Since January 2024, how many removal orders have been issued to former students or PGWP holders making asylum claims? How many were stayed due to active claims or appeals, by month?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Programs, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
That would be under the mandate of the CBSA, but I'm not sure whether....
Aiesha Zafar Assistant Deputy Minister, Migration Integrity, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Yes, as my colleague mentioned, the number of removals specific to study permits would be under the CBSA's purview. However, I understand that they did effect, overall, 18,000 removals in 2024. I don't have the percentage of those who were students.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Are you saying that the department doesn't know how many removals were from study permit holders?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Migration Integrity, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
IRCC does not track that data, as it's the mandate of the Canada Border Services Agency.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
How many work-eligible asylum claimants who were former students or PGWP holders obtain open work permits while claims are pending?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Programs, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Just to confirm, Madam Chair, PGWP is an open work permit, so I'm not sure whether I would be answering the question that's being sought.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Okay, thank you.
Since January 2024, how many study permit holders have transitioned to postgraduate work permits, and what share have remained in the original study region versus moved to another province?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Programs, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
I would be able to answer part of that question. What I can tell you is that in 2024, there were 200,000 new PGWP holders. That's a decrease of 15% from the previous year.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
What share of them remained in their original study region versus moved to a different region?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Programs, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
I'm sorry. I didn't hear that.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
What share remained in their original study region versus moved to a different region?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Programs, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
I don't have that information.
Conservative
Brad Redekopp Conservative Saskatoon West, SK
Does IRCC not have that, or is it that you just don't have it with you?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Economic Programs, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
It would have to be a special request to obtain that information.
Conservative
