CIMM – Letter to Minister Fraser – June 14, 2023

May 26, 2023

The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Immigration and Citizenship Canada
365 Laurier Ave W
Ottawa, ON
K1P 6A6

Dear Minister,

We are writing to share our deep concerns about reports that international students who studied in Canada were issued fraudulent college acceptance letters by dishonest consultants. IRCC failed to identify these fake letters and issued valid Canadian study visas based on fraudulent college acceptance letters. Students came to Canada on these study visas and were frankly scammed by these dishonest agents who told them their colleges of choice were full and directed them to smaller college alternatives. It is estimated that hundreds of students are now being threatened with deportation by CBSA after the students submitted applications for permanent residency. Only then were proper verifications conducted by government officials.

These students and their families sacrificed their life savings to seek education and a better life in Canada. Many of these students work, study, and live in Canada. These students were exploited by malicious consultants and failed by the government that should have detected the fraudulent letters during the study visa application process. Canadians and parliamentarians alike should be deeply concerned about the integrity of our immigration system.

On May 25, 2023, we wrote to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration requesting an emergency meeting pursuant to Standing Order 106(4). We believe it is incumbent on the Committee to investigate this matter and discover how these fraudulent admissions letters were approved by IRCC during the study visa application process and why there were no proper safeguards in place to protect these prospective students. IRCC must explain why it took years to discover these college admissions letters were fraudulent and why an inspection was not conducted during the application process and what measures need to be implemented to bring an end to this practice.

We have noted your tweet on the matter this morning, stating that IRCC is investigating the matter of fraudulent acceptance letters. A last minute, lacklustre social media post is not enough. The integrity of our immigration system is at stake. Swift action must be taken to ensure that such a situation does not occur again.

Sincerely,

Tom Kmiec, M.P.
Calgary Shepard
Shadow Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Brad Redekopp, M.P.
Saskatoon West
Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Citizenship & Immigration