Migrante Alberta, with the support of ActionDignity, organized a community-led to discuss immigration issues faced by international students, migrant workers, and their families. The event was well-attended, with 59 participants, over 80 percent of whom were international students.
Paban Adhikary, Strategic Lead for Workers’ Rights, opened the session by highlighting the challenges faced by racialized workers. He emphasized ActionDignity’s commitment to addressing these issues. Following his presentation, Laura-Anne Goulding, an immigration lawyer from SHORY LAW, provided an overview of immigration laws that impact international students and temporary foreign workers. Her insights aimed to help attendees better understand their rights and the legal landscape they navigate.
Nellie Alcaraz, a PhD student, presented comprehensive data on the demographics and experiences of international students in Canada. She outlined the specific problems these students encounter, such as financial difficulties, mental health challenges, and barriers to integration. Her data-driven presentation shed light on the pressing issues that need addressing to improve the well-being of international students.
Zay Zapata, Secretary General of Migrante Alberta, concluded the session by highlighting the advocacy work that Migrante Alberta is doing on behalf of international students and temporary foreign workers. He detailed the organization’s efforts to support these communities, including lobbying for policy changes, providing resources, and creating support networks.
The session provided a valuable platform for discussing the critical issues faced by international students and migrant workers. It facilitated a better understanding of their struggles and the collective efforts needed to support these communities. The diverse range of speakers and the active participation of attendees underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue and advocacy in addressing immigration-related challenge.
