Undocumented Students – Struggle Continues in Canada
// June 13th, 2008 // Immigration
During the Association of American Geographers conference in Boston this year, a graduate student researcher presented a comparative analysis of Canadian and American identity in light of immigration policy. When asked in surveys, most Americans generally responded that they had a much higher tolerance of immigrants from Canada mainly because Canadians seemed more assimilable and like 'other Americans.' However, when the same survey was given to Canadians, less than thirty percent identified with Americans–differing mostly on political viewpoints. While clarifying immigration policy today, the Canadian Premier in Ontario gave an example of the stark contrast between the two neighboring states while the actions of the federal government in deporting undocumented students said otherwise.
While the United States is busy deporting undocumented immigrant students and the states in the deep South are retreating back into time by closing doors on students, our neighbors up North are also struggling with the issue. In Ontario, Canada, politicians have expressed a "don't ask don't tell" policy on undocumented immigrant students. Yet, an undocumented student, Sarah Leonty, with federal grants and great scholastic record, faces deportation just like our undocumented students in America.
At the same time, Premier Dalton McGuinty welcomed all students to Ontario schools, stating that
"A child shows up at the door looking for an education and our responsibility is to provide that education. If the federal government feels that child, that family, should not be in our province, then that is something they should do something about. But we are not going to start picking and choosing which kids are going to be allowed into the classroom."
The declaration confirms the belief in sanctuary cities as well as the fact that school officers should act like educators, not adjudicators. A report by the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto urged the government to adopt a province-wide "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy to ensure that families feel safe sending their children to school. Does that not sound like a contradiction and the very struggle we are facing in the United States? Maybe we are more alike than different after all. It would be fair to say that we are living in an era of ICE, but global warming is on the horizon.
It is encouraging to see movements and declarations by politicians in other countries in support of undocumented students. A global perspective is necessary–after all we are all citizens of the world and merely separated by landmass and arbitrary boundaries.
In the United States, we have "No Child left Behind," an empty promise and a sad oxymoron like "Microsoft Works." Are we going to start lagging behind Western civilization in our treatment of undocumented students just like we already lag behind on same-sex couples, universal health care and welfare reform? For the sake of this country and for ourselves, I certainly hope not.
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12 Responses to “Undocumented Students – Struggle Continues in Canada”
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- Karen said: I know what you mean. I am a (former) DREAMer who ...
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Good post DREAMActivist. A global perspective on this struggle is what is most needed in the U.S. in my mind.
Some of your points are severely misguided.
Thank god the US is not Canada.
The free market is still allowed to function in the US. Free speech is still protected in the US. The “advancement” of the rights of same-sex couples has left the establishment of “hate crimes” tribunals, undermining the rights of freedom of expression of ALL citizens.
Like the US, there is a significant disconnect in Canada between the elites in the urban centers and the suburbs/rural areas. When large scale immigration took place from third world nations, there was a huge white flight from Toronto. These citizens in no way, shape or form are “progressive” or aligned with an agenda to more liberal immigration policies. The majority are just being awakened into activism in Canada; you will see a pattern of demands for enforcement at a local level like PWC in VA.
Hello, did you just migrate from the anti-migrant sphere or the anti-gay one? I cannot decide but maybe they are not mutually exclusive.
1. Please point out where I said the United States should be like Canada. The most I said was that the U.S. is lagging behind in critical issues like universal health care, welfare reform and same-sex couples rights when compared to Western civilization, insinuating post-industrial societies. It is sad when post-apartheid South Africa allows same-sex marriage and the U.S.A–standing for freedom and liberty for all-treats its own citizens and taxpayers as second-class. Shame on us.
2. Free speech…LOL. Americans shouldn’t be bragging about their freedom of speech right now in light of the attack on our constitutional liberties post 9-11.
3. I actually say that both Canada and America are struggling to come to terms with their immigration policies regarding undocumented students. Never do I insinuate that Canada is doing a better job. Next time, try to read before commenting. It helps you not look like a complete moron.
4. The fact that you get to make homophobic and heterosexist comments on this blog directly contradicts your last point.
5. Your last post actually proves my central point –”we are more alike than different” in US/Canada indeed. Thank you for proving more empirical evidence proving my point.
6. Your entire first post is severely misguided.
I enjoy your hostility.
It just shows people how scared you really are and how weak your position is.
You go girl !
“lagging behind” implies that you feel the US should be more like Canada.
You really think you are cleverer than a brain pie. I guess all that continual reinforcement of how special and bright and talented you are at the leftist loonie bin you attend has really worked its magic.
Your post is always a source of amusement.
Thanks so much!
Actually, considering that Macleans magazine is on trial for printing an excerpt of Mark Steyn’s book “America Alone” is something to be wary of.
Steyn is not subject to the same fear of groundless suppression of freedom of expression in the US because of the rights afforded to him under the US constitution.
Please enumerate the alleged “attacks” on our constitutional liberties post-9/11….or it that just another knee-jerk talking point?
What exactly is “homophobic” in my comment?
You are making alot of assumptions about my feelings and/or positions.
That feminist edgy anger thing you’ve got going doesn’t always work for you. It sucks up the rationale part of your brain and allows your emotions to take over.
Take a few deep breaths before posting, little one.
Yes, we are lagging behind — but did I say lagging behind Canada? No, I actually said Western civilization, because we are indeed on critical issues. Can you really justify how we are the only post-industrial nation-state without universal health care? It’s obvious you didn’t even read or comprehend my post.
I can write an entire book on how 9-11 has made us less “free” as a country but unfortunately, that has been done many times over. I am sure as a concerned American, you are aware of the unconstitutional snooping, spying, harassing of law-abiding individuals; the redefinition of ‘terrorist’ in a manner that makes illegal the most careful forms of dissent; the secret hearings, detentions, extraordinary renditions, torture and suspension of due-process rights of non-citizens…the list is endless. But just yesterday a school newspaper was shut down after printing a photo of someone burning an American flag. I am not saying we are not a relatively free country or less free than anyone else–I will however say that there are grounds for improvement and I don’t want my country to lag behind anyone.
You think “equal rights and treatment” of homosexual couples is infringing on your rights — how is that not an absurdly heterosexist and homophobic comment? I could say that limiting certain rights to straight people is infringing on my freedom of expression and freedom of association and oh…the Supreme Court of California agrees.
On one hand you say we have free speech and on another you contradict yourself saying granting civil and human rights to all in infringing on your freedom of expression, insinuating your freedom to hate homosexuals. What is it–do we have free speech or not? Make up your mind. Your entire post is leaking with performative contradictions.
Do you have anything intelligent to say or anything to do online besides trying to demean and degrade students? Your comments don’t make me angry; I love reading anti-gay and anti-student comments – makes me feel good about myself that people who don’t even know me can hate my existence. Because that is truly sad and most amusing to me.
Laurie-Anne, just like you I will also become a legal permanent resident and citizen of this country, which is my home. There is really nothing you can say or do that would change that fact or make me think/believe otherwise. It is only a matter of time.
“I could write an entire book on how 9-11 has made us less “free”"…
And what are YOUR credentials for that? You like to run your mouth alot, when you should stick to subjects you actually know.
That aside, I hope that your residency status gets sorted out. It is perverse that the rest of your family could adjust, but not you. Would leaving and applying from outside the country help your situation?
I think 3 degrees, 2 in the field of of political science and international relations qualifies me to write a book on subjects that I am quite educated in, my dissertation being on national security. Of course, people without any degrees write books too.
Leaving USA would be absolutely detrimental. That would mean a 10 year ban, not being able to handle my family’s business, living in an environment that is homophobic and intolerant, not to mention risking my life in the event of another civil war. I am willing to compromise–I don’t want U.S. citizenship as much as I need to be legalized so I can take my skills to a country that is more tolerant and would allow me full civil rights. It is true — I did not chose to come here but now that I am confined here due to an undocumented status, the best option for my family is to keep me here till DREAM passes or I get legal permanent residency in 2 years.
I forgot to mention that I used to run the 9-11 hotline for non-profits like the NLG. Basically, the 9-11 hotline is a service where people who were being harassed by the FBI as a direct result of 9-11 would call to get help. So I have heard and help document about 336(conservative estimate since sometimes we could not help or document) horror stories surrounding issues of freedom of expression, and other civil liberties.
That does not mean I don’t enjoy the civil rights and liberties available to me today — I am simply stating that we can do much better and we must set a better example.