RIGHT NOW: 20 migrant workers, mostly domestic care workers, have occupied the lobby of the federal immigration building in Toronto on International Domestic Workers Day. They are refusing to leave until they get a direct phone call or meeting with Immigration Minister Lena Diab.
They are demanding the right for themselves and their families to stay in Canada - permanently and with dignity.
CONTACT MINISTER DIAB IMMEDIATELY:
Phone: 613-996-3085
Email: minister@cic.gc.ca, IRCC.Minister-Ministre.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
Message: "Migrant care workers who care for our families are protesting inside your building RIGHT NOW. They've been abused by your government, and pushed into a corner but they refused to be pushed out. Call them immediately."
WATCH THE ACTION LIVE:
Instagram Live: https://www.instagram.com/migrantworkersalliance
Migrant workers are risking everything because they have been pushed to the breaking point.
Care workers have fought for over a decade for guaranteed permanent residency. After years of mobilizing and demanding change, the federal government finally agreed to permanent residency on arrival and regularization through the Home Care Worker Immigration program.
On March 31, 2025, the government launched this program - and it was a catastrophic betrayal. The government deliberately created restrictive criteria shutting out refugees, and others. The program was also capped. Over 40,000 migrants, most of whom came to Canada with a promise and guarantee of permanent resident status, were shut out. Many more were deemed ineligible.
The human cost is devastating.
Families being torn apart as children age out of eligibility
Essential care workers facing deportation despite caring for Canadian families for years
Mostly women from the Global South trapped in exploitation without permanent status
And thatâs not even all. There are other devastating immigration changes.
Over 1.2 million work and study permits are set to expire this year - that's over 3,000 people daily - who canât renew their permits, canât get permanent residency and canât stay.
Trudeau promised regularization, but the promise was broken and deportations continue.
The government has dodged migrants for months:
May 15, 2025: Migrant Rights Network wrote to Minister Diab demanding action
Over a month of complete silence from the government
Meanwhile, workers' permits expire daily and families face separation
These workers cannot wait another day. Each day of government inaction means more families destroyed, more workers pushed into undocumented status, more exploitation.
Prime Minister Carney promised change but is instead passing anti-immigrant laws like Bill C-2 while essential care workers face deportation.
ACT NOW:
CALL Minister Diab: 613-996-3085
If you're in Toronto, join them at 25 St Clair East
Share this message - these workers need massive public pressure
Migrant care workers need you to be courageous alongside them.
#MigrantWorkers #CanPoli