# Canadian international student deportation controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/canadian-international-student-deportation-controversy
> Updated: 2026-09-14T18:52:54.000Z. Sources: 39. Developments: 2.

A coalition of nearly 300 labour and community groups, including Amnesty International and CUPE Ontario, has called on the Canadian federal and Alberta governments to halt the deportation of 10 international students. The groups allege these students were singled out for enforcement following protests in Calgary by approximately 1,500 Portage College graduates who were denied post-graduation work permits.

While students claim the federal government changed eligibility rules over the summer, a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab stated that the government only updated its website in June to clarify existing requirements. The Migrant Rights Network has argued that targeting newcomers for enforcement during protests violates Charter rights to free speech and may create a chilling effect, causing migrants to fear participating in public meetings or picket lines due to risks to their residency status.

## Claims

- The Canada Border Services Agency has deported 111 people since August 2025 in connection to extortion violence. (disputed by 22 sources)
- The CBSA issued 91 removal orders in the Pacific region, resulting in 58 removals. (disputed by 20 sources)
- A total of 188 removal orders have been issued relating to foreign nationals linked to extortion violence. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- Surrey, B.C., has reported 139 extortions this year, including 21 shots fired and two arsons. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- The CBSA issued 50 removal orders in the Greater Toronto Area, resulting in 23 removals, and 47 orders in the Prairie region, resulting in 23 removals. (corroborated by 20 sources)
- The CBSA began dedicating resources to these investigations in Western Canada in August 2025 and expanded to Ontario in November 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-14: CBSA removes 111 individuals linked to extortion from Canada

The CBSA has removed 111 individuals from Canada since August 2025 linked to extortion violence, issuing 188 total removal orders to combat organized crime and protect public safety.

37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-border-services-agency-deports-111-amid-extortion-violence-crackdown

### 2026-09-04: Community groups urge Canada to halt deportation of student protesters

Nearly 300 groups are calling on Canadian authorities to stop the deportation of 10 international students who were targeted following protests over post-graduation work permit eligibility.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/community-groups-urge-canada-to-halt-deportation-of-student-protesters

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Cite as: Canadian international student deportation controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/canadian-international-student-deportation-controversy