Fake Letter Leaves Nigerian International Student Without Status, Asked to Leave Canada
Lola Akinlade, a Nigerian international student in Canada, faces deportation due to a fake entry document. Her case highlights the risks of using unauthorized agents for study permits.
Lola Akinlade, a Nigerian international student, has been ordered to leave Canada due to a fake document she unknowingly used to enter the country. Despite graduating from Nova Scotia Community College in 2019 with a diploma in social services, Akinlade's joy was overshadowed by a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) accusing her of using a fraudulent document for her study permit.
Akinlade, who arrived in Canada in December 2016, claims she was unaware that the acceptance letter provided by an agent in Nigeria was fake. The agent had assured her admission to the University of Regina, but upon her arrival, she was told there were no available spaces, prompting her to find another school. She eventually enrolled at Nova Scotia Community College in 2017.
The revelation of the fake document has left Akinlade and her family, including her husband and two children, without immigration status. They have been asked to leave Canada voluntarily and are currently unable to work or attend school. Akinlade's younger son, born in Canada, lacks medical coverage due to his parents' status.
Akinlade's lawyer, Amanat Sandhu, is filing a humanitarian application to allow the family to stay in Canada. Sandhu notes that many international students fall victim to "rogue agents" who provide false information and documents. Since IRCC implemented a new verification process for international student acceptance letters in December 2023, over 9,000 fake letters have been identified.
IRCC maintains that applicants are responsible for all information in their applications and believes Akinlade knew about the fake document. Akinlade, however, insists she was a victim of the agent's deceit and hopes IRCC will reconsider her case.
This situation underscores the importance of using reputable agents and verifying all documents when applying for study permits. It also highlights the challenges international students face when dealing with immigration authorities and the severe consequences of fraudulent documentation.
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