The immigration department’s failure to investigate high-risk international student cases has raised serious concerns about the integrity of Canada’s international student program. An alarming 150,000 cases were flagged for potential non-compliance with study permit terms in 2023 and 2024, yet only about 4,000 investigations were initiated.
Of these investigations, 1,600 were deemed inconclusive because the students did not respond. The department’s limited budget allows for only 2,000 investigations annually until 2028, raising questions about its capacity to manage compliance effectively.
Between 2018 and 2023, the audit revealed that 800 cases involving applicants using bogus documents or misrepresenting information were not followed up on. This oversight has significant implications, as 92 percent of problematic visa holders subsequently applied for other immigration statuses to remain in Canada.
Out of these, 456 received approvals for alternative immigration statuses, including 105 who were granted permanent residency. Karen Hogan, the auditor general, noted, “There (are) clearly tools in their toolkit, things they can do when fraudulent documentation was used or if a student isn’t following the conditions of their permit. We didn’t see them consider that in these 800 cases.”
In response to the audit, Lena Diab stated, “The early audit cannot offer a complete picture of these reforms. It can inform, though, what we do as a go-forward basis.” The department plans to begin “centralizing” and “streamlining” investigations to address these shortcomings.
Critics, including Michelle Rempel Garner, expressed frustration over the lack of clear deliverables to rectify the system, stating, “The fact that she’s coming out here and cannot come up with a few key clear deliverables to change the system and ensure that all of these cases are being reviewed is crazy to me.”
As the immigration department grapples with these revelations, observers are left to wonder how effectively it will implement changes and whether all flagged cases will receive the attention they require. Details remain unconfirmed.