The Alberta Workers Association for Research and Education (AWARE) and Migrante-Alberta are reaching out to you to bring to your attention that there are children and youth that are unable to register and attend school and/or feel safe in school because of their immigration status.
Families who arrive in Canada on temporary visas (tourists, refugee claimants, temporary foreign workers, international students) can fall through the cracks and lose their immigration status (become undocumented). There are many reasons for this including changes to Canadian policies after they have arrived, exploitation by agents abroad who falsely promise permanent residency, abuse by employers, and the decline in one’s physical and mental health. Children are adversely affected where they cannot access basic needs including a structured education.
Our mission extends beyond assisting undocumented students. When we advocate for "education for all" (Ed4All) we are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to education. Numerous young children from lower-income backgrounds are compelled to work instead of completing their studies or while trying to study to support their families. Additionally, the exorbitant tuition fees burdened upon international students further highlight issues that demand our attention and resolution.