CCBI Seminar Charts Hope-Filled Roadmap for Safe and Dignified Student Migration

Trivandrum, February 13, 2026: Amid rising concerns over distress migration and the growing exodus of students from Kerala, the Commission for Migrants of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India concluded a three-day national seminar highlighting both the opportunities and serious risks associated with student migration.

Held from February 11 to 13 at the Kritu Jyanti Animation Centre in Trivandrum, the seminar brought together experts, Church leaders and stakeholders to deliberate on the increasing movement of students from Kerala to foreign countries, as well as the steady influx of migrant workers and students from North India into the state.

Participants expressed grave concern over the exploitation of aspiring students by unscrupulous agencies. Speakers noted that many students are lured by false promises regarding courses, placements and job prospects abroad. In numerous cases, agencies reportedly determine what students should study and where they should migrate, often without transparency or proper counselling.

It was estimated during the seminar that more than 20 lakh students from Kerala have migrated overseas for higher education. Many face severe hardships, including mounting education loans, financial fraud, homelessness, substance abuse and, in extreme cases, imprisonment in foreign countries. The seminar also highlighted the economic dimension of the trend, noting that over ₹6.5 lakh crores are flowing out of India due to overseas education expenses.

Renowned migration experts, including Dr. S. Irudaya Rajan, Dr. Ginu Zachariah and Mr. Rejimon Kuttappan, underscored the precarious situation confronting both student migrants and overseas workers. They called for stronger regulatory mechanisms, transparent counselling systems and structured pre-departure orientation programmes.

Auxiliary Bishop Christudas Rajappan of the Latin Catholic Archdiocese of Trivandrum stressed the urgent need for Church involvement in addressing migration challenges. He called for large-scale awareness campaigns on distress migration and advocated for structured systems to accompany both outgoing migrants from Kerala and inward migrants arriving in the state.

The seminar concluded with a series of concrete action points. These included organising parent–child and family awareness programmes, promoting equal dignity for guest workers (Athithi Thozhilali), creating safe spaces for migrants, and strengthening awareness and access to welfare schemes such as those offered by NORKA.

Participants also proposed establishing a migrant registration portal and grievance redressal cell, expanding mental health support systems, facilitating reintegration and job opportunities for returnees, and preparing a comprehensive Migrants’ Manual. Mapping of both internal and international migrants and the development of a quality migration system were identified as key priorities for future action.

Organisers described the seminar as a crucial step toward building a coordinated and compassionate response to migration, ensuring that mobility becomes a pathway to growth rather than a source of exploitation and distress.

Fr. Jaison

Migrants Commission