Ahead Of Deportation Of 700 Punjabi Youth, Canadian Minister Agrees To Probe

OTTAWA, (IANS) – In the ongoing visa fraud case against 700 Punjabi students in Canada, an MP from Punjab, Vikramjit Singh Sahney said he was in talks with Canadian authorities not to deport them.

Responding to his request, Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said: “We are actively investigating recent reports of fraudulent acceptance letters and our focus is on identifying culprits and not to penalize the victims.”

He also stated that victims of fraud will be given an opportunity to present their case.

The member of Rajya Sabha has demanded a thorough investigation in Punjab into the case of issuance of fake college acceptance letters and admission fee receipts by unscrupulous agents, granting of valid visas, and immigration clearance of innocent Punjabi youth who are now facing deportation from Canada.

Sahney also appealed that the Canadian Border Security Agency should temporarily suspend the deportation of Punjabi youth until required witnesses can testify before the investigating committee.

He said the 700 Punjabis, “They went to Canada on fake admission letters, got visas and immigration clearance, studied in Canada, and are now doing jobs… they cannot be deported as they are innocent and are victims of a bigger conspiracy.”

Sahney also appealed that it is very difficult for individual students to fight their cases in Canadian courts, a few of them got success recently. The Canadian government must take a sympathetic collective view of all students suffering under these unfavorable circumstances.