Young immigrants, the forgotten of the question of status
Nandini and Sandeep each gave a testimony on their migratory journeys and on the importance of granting status to young immigrants.
Several dozen people were present in the reception hall of the India Beau Village restaurant on Saturday afternoon for a rally demanding the regularization of immigrants without status, including young immigrants who are also affected by this issue.
During the event, Nandini and Sandeep, two young immigrant women from India, told the audience about their backgrounds and the importance of regularizing immigrant status for them.
In an interview with Métro, the two high school students insisted on underlining the neglect of young people when it comes to migratory status.
Being recognized as citizens
“The issue of regularization is important for children and young people because we have adopted Quebec and Canadian education and our parents work and pay taxes. We want to integrate into society as true citizens. We know a lot of young people in this situation who are fighting for the right to be normal citizens,” explained Nandini on the youth dimension of this issue.
Recognition of a status is for these young women the only way to resolve the anguish weighing on them and their families in the face of possible deportation.
We want the government to give us a legal status to tell everyone that we are citizens of this country even if we don't work. We often forget the children, but we have plans for the future and we don't want to return to our country of origin.
Nandini and Sandeep after their testimonies
Live a normal life< /h3>
This situation is deplorable according to Alejandra Zaga Mendez, MP present at the rally, for whom young people are as vulnerable as adults in relation to the lack of status.
“It's touching to see and hear young people like today, but it's not normal. They should have fun in the schoolyard and live their lives like all Quebecers. They shouldn't worry about whether the deportation letter will arrive or not, whether they will finish school or choose to go to CEGEP based on their immigration status,” said the MP for Verdun. /p>
In this regard, Nandini is finishing high school this year and is reluctant to enroll in CEGEP because of the uncertainty surrounding her parents' immigration status, a concrete example of the situation described by Ms. Mendez.
“It makes it even more unfair because I want to go, I have good grades, but I don't know if we're going to stay here so I'm hesitant to sign up. In addition, we have to pay more for college tuition because we are not permanent residents, so having status would reduce the cost of our education.”
