Migrants, refugees, undocumented people, workers, and students plan to take to the streets across the country Saturday demanding full and permanent immigration status for all.
In Windsor, there will be a rally at the Immigration and Refuge, and Canada Border Services Agency offices on Walker Road. It starts at 3 p.m.
It is just one event out of several planned in ten cities across five provinces across Canada.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought issues suffered by migrants and undocumented people under scrutiny, especially those endured by migrant workers employed at farms and greenhouses in Leamington and Kingsville.
The Migrant Rights Network said migrants are unable to protect themselves because they lack emergency support. Many will not speak out about unsafe work and housing conditions because they fear the loss of work and deportation.
On August 14, the federal government announced the pathway for some asylum claimants working in the healthcare sector during the pandemic. However, the group says the path should be expanded to include everyone in the country who is a non-permanent resident.
With fears a second wave of COVID-19 is on the horizon; it calls on all political parties to act swiftly to ensure migrants are not placed in further jeopardy.
It has also launched a petition.
According to the network, at least 1 in 23 people in Canada, or 1.6-million are non-permanent residents.
Many migrants are in Canada to study or work. Some are here on humanitarian permits, while others have no documentation.