A peaceful vigil is planned in the wake of a tragic incident involving a St. Clair College student.
In August, work permits had been denied to 25 international students who had graduated.
The students graduated in May from a 12-month international Business Management Program, where they also took a four-month freight forwarding logistics course. Verma says the college told them they would still qualify for work permits if they wait to apply until after graduating the logistics program, but according to Verma, that wasn't the case.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada approved around half the permits and denied the rest, even though everyone who applied had the same status, something lawyer Eddie Kadri is taking before the courts.
Verma tells AM800 News, Ajesh Chopra approached Canadian Border Service Agency officials at the Prescott border on Sept. 6 to ask some questions about his situation, it was there officers seized his passport instead.
He says says it was the last straw for the unemployed and depressed 25-year-old, who then jumped from the Ogdensburgh-Prescott International Bridge on Thursday Sept. 6. His body was found in the St. Lawrence River, near Morrisburg on Sunday Sept. 9.
"They seized his passport and booked him on a flight back to his home country for Sept. 13 and told him that he would get his passport just before he boards the flight and asked him to leave the premises, he just gave up on everything," says Verma.
He wants everyone to know how hard it's been for people just trying to build a life in a new country.
"Far away from your home, away from your family and you're thinking you're going to make a future for yourself," says Verma. "It's just unfortunate that this happened and it's very sad, it's tragic."
The vigil is set for 12pm Friday in front of city hall in downtown Windsor.