For immediate release:

June 12, 2025

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Students opposed to Bill C-2 attack on migrant rights

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ST. JOHN’S - Students are calling on the federal government to withdraw Bill C-2, the so-called “Strong Borders Act,” which threatens the rights and safety of refugees, migrants, international students, and all newcomers to Canada.

Bill C-2 introduces sweeping measures that undermine Canada’s commitment to welcoming those fleeing persecution and seeking a better life. This bill imposes unfair barriers to asylum, grants the government unprecedented powers to cancel immigration documents without due process, and puts international students at risk of losing their status overnight. It also expands government surveillance and erodes privacy protections for all newcomers.

“These changes betray Canada’s commitment to human rights, due process, and compassion,” said Nicolas Keough, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students Newfoundland and Labrador. “Bill C-2 will not make our borders stronger - it will make our communities less just, less inclusive, and less safe for the people who need our protection most.”

International students are already facing significant barriers and delays in accessing pathways to permanent residency, navigating uncertainty and risk at a time of rising racism and xenophobia. International students also face unique challenges related to affordability and cost of living, given the severe restrictions placed on their ability to work while in Canada, while also being forced to pay tuition fees at rates more than three times higher than those of a domestic student. Given Newfoundland and Labrador’s aging population and its stated commitment to immigrant retention, subjecting these students to shifting immigration policies directly undermines the province’s long-term goals.

Bill C-2 poses serious risks for international students in Canada by creating a more hostile and uncertain immigration environment. Many international students pursue education in Canada not only to gain a quality education, but also with the hope of building a life here after graduation. However, by restricting refugee claims after one year in Canada, expanding government powers to revoke permits, and limiting access to humanitarian pathways, the bill undermines the safety and security of those who may experience a change in circumstances during their studies, such as political unrest or personal risk in their home countries.

“If Bill C-2 is passed as written, many international students fear an increased risk of being marginalized or targeted based on their race or country of origin,” said Keough. “International students are already being unfairly blamed for contributing to social policy issues like the housing crisis, and the language of Bill C-2 could add to the already rising amount of xenophobic and racist attacks that international students experience in their local communities”.

Multiple human rights organizations, including the Migrant Rights Network, Canadian Council for Refugees, International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, and Amnesty International, have condemned Bill C-2. Students urge Parliament to reject Bill C-2 and instead invest in fair, humane, and effective immigration policies that protect the rights of international students and all migrant peoples.

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For further information, please contact:

Nicolas Keough, Chairperson

Canadian Federation of Students - Newfoundland and Labrador

(709) 330-6941

chair@cfs-nl.ca

The Canadian Federation of Students - Newfoundland and Labrador proudly unites 25,000 public post-secondary students in NL in the fight for high-quality, affordable, post-secondary education.

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