Indian student seeks discharge to avoid deportation after fraud conviction in Canada

An Indian student in Canada is pleading with a judge for a discharge after a fraud conviction, fearing it will lead to his deportation.

Jins Joseph, who has been studying in Newfoundland and Labrador for nearly four years, was convicted on July 24 of eight counts of fraud and one count of theft, all under $5,000. His study permit is set to expire on September 30.

Joseph's lawyer, Adam Crocker, told the court that a criminal conviction could significantly impact Joseph's ability to remain in Canada. Joseph worked part-time as a butcher and was caught changing price stickers on meat between March and May 2025, resulting in about $2,700 in losses for the store.

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All I’ve done was get products with permission to feed people that are hungry, that’d otherwise go hungry without my help.

Joseph disputes the circumstances, claiming employees were permitted to take meat destined for disposal and that he had seen and documented unsaleable meat being prepared for sale. He also alleged the store reduced his hours after he threatened to report them to the Labour Relations Board.

"All I’ve done was get products with permission to feed people that are hungry, that’d otherwise go hungry without my help," Joseph told the court. He fears deportation would force him to restart his degree, having already spent $100,000 on his education, and separate him from his partner in Canada.

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If I have to leave the country, I’m going to have to restart my entire degree all over again.