An organization defending the rights of illegal immigrants is speaking out about access to free education for children.
The group Education Without Borders said Monday that as many as 5,000 children in Quebec are likely to be unable to attend school because of their parent's current status as illegal immigrants.
The group said parents awaiting deportation because their refugee claim has been denied, or because their visa has expired are not allowed to send their children to Quebec schools unless they pay up.
It costs up to $6,000 a year per child, which is a sum most illegal immigrants – some of which are refugee claimants or asylum seekers – can't afford.
Education Without Borders argues children should not see their education jeopardized because of politics.
“Immigration is politics. Who Canada decides to let in or not is purely based on economics of the country. No child should ever be affected. Their education should not be affected by that,” said Lilian Boctor, who attended the Education Without Borders news conference Monday.
