Refugees, community activists and union members were among those who convened at the Bickford centre on May 26 to discuss immigration in Canada. Attending the panel was a large contingent from No One Is Illegal, an organization that aims to fight for the rights of all immigrants, regardless of their status.
The activists sought to consolidate support for a movement to let undocumented students attend school without fear of deportation or detention. The “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” campaign proposes that educational institutions not divulge information on students’ immigration status to the government.
According to NOII, immigrant students would therefore be able to access the same benefits as Canadian students, regardless of status.
Currently, the DADT campaign is primarily focused on the public school system. Most at the meeting were in favour of extending the campaign to the college and university level.
“A ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy is needed at the post-secondary level, as students graduating from high school will have nowhere to go afterwards,” said Ryan Hayes of U of T’s Arts and Science Student Union.
“Students have taken a leading role in this campaign, as well as other important actions for migrant rights,” said Hayes, citing ASSU and UTSU in particular for bringing a vocal crowd of supporters.
Hayes added that undocumented immigrants should also have job access with no immigration questions asked.
The afternoon discussion raised a broad spectrum of other questions. Should illegal immigrants be allowed to stay? Should they have access to all the social services Canadian citizens have? Is Canadian immigration policy influenced by war and occupations? Is Canadian immigration policy touched by racism or homophobia? Discussions ran long as NOII and their affiliates sought to define precisely what they are advocating for and how.
NOII, which began as an anti-war group that drew a connection between wars abroad and racial profiling of immigrants at home, now focuses on immigrant rights.
Hayes praised the student contingent at the rally: “U of T students were involved in every aspect of the day, from planning to leading chants during the march, to U of T students Logikal Ethix and Unknown Mizery of Stolen from Africa performing at the community fair in Dufferin Grove Park.”
Also on the panel’s agenda was “Queering up the fight for status.”
Activist and U of T graduate Rachna Contractor explained: “If queer immigrants of colour go to queer services, they face racism. If they go to mainstream services, they face homophobia.”
Contractor coordinates Among Friends, a project that aims to remove homophobia from immigrant services. Organizations like AF are pooling their efforts with NOII to organize a march during Pride week to protest heterosexism, transphobia and racism against gay immigrants.
NOII holds weekly open meetings at OISE, Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
