A Story About Bridges and Borders

By: Afeez Akinleye

A Story About Bridges and Borders
Long before there were passports and paperwork, people crossed borders in search of peace, safety, and opportunity. They carried hope in their hearts, not just luggage in their hands. Every border, however, has two sides bridge for those reaching out and a gate for those deciding who gets through.

Every community has a heartbeat — made up of the dreams, fears, and quiet hopes of the people who live within it.

There’s a saying that a tree does not stand tall without the soil that holds its roots.

A few weeks ago, I met a young mother at a community gathering in Burnaby. She had come to Canada three years ago to study nursing. Her voice shook as she said, “I want to stay and give my children the life I didn’t have. But with every new policy, it feels like the ground keeps shifting.”

Her story is not unique. Across the country, thousands of international students, temporary workers, and permanent residency applicants share the same anxiety — the fear of building a life that feels uncertain.

Now, a new policy — Bill C-12 — has entered the national conversation, stirring both hope and concern.

Today, that story continues in Canada with Bill C-12, a new proposal that could alter the experiences of immigrants, students, and families here. It’s a bill that focuses on protecting borders, but for many people, it raises questions about protecting their dreams.

Understanding Bill C-12

Bill C-12, titled The Enhancing Accountability and Transparency in Immigration Services Act, is a federal proposal that seeks to modernize how Canada manages immigration data and applicant information.

It focuses on three major goals:

1. Improving data transparency and integrity within the immigration system.

2. Strengthening oversight of temporary and permanent immigration pathways.

3. Enhancing collaboration between federal and provincial governments to reduce
fraud and misuse.

In theory, these are positive changes. But in practice, they raise tough questions for real people — especially for those who already feel like they are walking a tightrope between hope and uncertainty.

Why This Matters to Every Immigrant Community

Immigration is more than paperwork — it’s about identity, belonging, and the pursuit of stability.

Bill C-12 may sound technical, but its ripple effects touch everyday life:

? Students may face increased checks on enrollment and progress, affecting study
permits and work eligibility.

? Temporary workers could experience new compliance rules requiring frequent
updates from employers.

? Families applying for PR might encounter more extensive background verifications
and processing delays.

These adjustments are meant to strengthen fairness, but for many, they bring added pressure. When permit renewals take longer, jobs hang in limbo. When document standards tighten, one missing form can mean months of waiting — or worse, a refusal.

Impact on Students and Young Workers

International students represent the heart of many local communities. They study, volunteer, and often work part-time to support themselves and family members abroad. Bill C-12 introduces closer tracking between educational institutions and immigration
offices to confirm ongoing enrollment and program compliance.

While this can reduce fraudulent enrollments, it also puts greater responsibility on students to maintain up-to-date records and accurate contact information. A simple delay in uploading a transcript could raise a red flag. For young workers, especially those on post-graduate work permits, stricter employment verification could mean more frequent requests for employer letters or job proofs. Small errors, such as outdated job titles or company information, could trigger review notices that delay applications.

In other words, the administrative burden is shifting from the system to the individual.

Permanent Residency Applicants: Longer Waits, Higher Scrutiny

For families applying for permanent residency (PR), Bill C-12’s digital data-sharing initiative promises faster communication between departments — but also tighter cross-checking of personal histories. Applicants with inconsistencies in previous work or study permits may now face additional interviews or requests for clarification. Although this enhances integrity, it can slow the pathway to stability for those who have already lived, worked, and paid taxes in
Canada for years.

Immigration lawyers note that while digital modernization is positive, increased scrutiny without increased staffing could worsen processing delays
.
Hidden Layers: Housing, Employment, and Mental Health

Behind the paperwork, Bill C-12 touches other parts of immigrant life. Housing: Some newcomers rely on proof of status or work permits to secure leases. If renewals or verifications take longer, landlords may hesitate to rent — worsening an already tight housing market for students and families.
Employment: Delays or unclear permit statuses can cause job interruptions, leading to income instability and lost opportunities for skilled workers who want to contribute fully.

Mental Health: Uncertainty can weigh heavily. Many temporary residents describe sleepless nights, anxiety about renewals, and a constant sense of instability. When every policy feels like shifting sand, it becomes hard to plan for the future or feel rooted in one’s new home.

Bill C-12 may not directly address these realities, but they are part of the lived experience
of those it affects.

How Immigrants Can Protect Themselves
When laws change, awareness becomes empowerment. Here are steps that every immigrant — student, worker, or PR applicant — can take:

1. Stay Informed and Verify Sources
Follow official updates from IRCC and trusted community organizations. Avoid rumours circulating on social media; misinformation spreads faster than truth during policy changes.

2. Maintain Impeccable Records
Keep every document — from study transcripts to job contracts — up to date and safely stored. Create a digital archive and back it up regularly.

3. Document Your Journey
Maintain a timeline of your studies, jobs, and addresses. This helps resolve discrepancies if the government cross-checks your history.

4. Seek Professional Advice Early
Consult authorized immigration consultants or lawyers when unsure. Community legal clinics often offer free or low-cost support.

5. Join Local Community Networks
Participate in cultural associations, student unions, or neighborhood forums. They often share verified updates faster than the news cycle.

6. Advocate for Fair Implementation
Collective voices matter. Communities can petition local MPs or participate in consultations to ensure immigrant experiences shape policy decisions.

7. Take Care of Mental Well-being
Policy uncertainty can cause emotional strain. Reach out — talk to friends, mentors, or community counselors. Stability begins within before it can grow
around us.

A Shared Responsibility
The government’s goal with Bill C-12 is to build a system that is fair, secure, and transparent. Yet fairness must include compassion — recognizing that behind every file number is a human story.
Canada’s strength has always been rooted in its diversity. From the students filling classrooms in Toronto to the care workers in Vancouver and the tech interns in Calgary, immigrants power the nation’s growth.

If policies grow stricter, our response must be stronger — not in resistance, but in readiness. We can thrive by staying informed, organized, and united as communities that look out for one another.

Final Reflection
When I think back to that mother in Burnaby, I remember her smile after we finished talking. She said, “Maybe this is just another test — not to break us, but to prepare us.”

Perhaps she’s right. Every generation of immigrants faces a new challenge. Bill C-12 is ours. And like those before us, we will meet it — not with fear, but with courage, knowledge, and community.

References

– “Government of Canada – Introduces new streamlined legislation to strengthen border security and keep Canadians safe” — https://www.canada.ca/en/public-
safety-canada/news/2025/10/government-of-canada-introduces-new-streamlined- legislation-to-strengthen-border-security-and-keep-canadians safe.html canada.ca
– “Understanding Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12)”https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/securingborder/strengthen-border- security/understanding-strengthen-border-security.html canada.ca
– “Bill C-12 (45-1) – An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures” (Parliament of Canada) — https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/45-1/bill/C-12/first-reading Parliament of Canada+1
– “Bill C-12 Threatens Thousands of Business Incubator Applications Under Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program” (Immigration.ca) — https://immigration.ca/bill-c-12-threatens-thousands-of-business-incubator-applications-under-canadas-start- up-visa-program/ Canada Immigration Services
– “Bill C-12, Canada’s Border Bill, Condemned Over Failure to Address Human Rights Concerns” (JURIST) — https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/10/canadas-bill- c-12-condemned-over-failure-to-address-human-rights-concerns/ jurist.org