Latest News
Local
Officers told not to deport foreign students
Immigration officers have been told by directors of the Border and Immigration Agency not to deport foreign students who have outstayed their visas. The agency’s directors have also stated that only that students that are ‘priorities’ or involved in serious crimes, such as fraud, should be considered for deportation.
The chief executive of the agency, Lin Homer, personally intervened when immigration officers moved to removed students that outstayed their visas and expressed surprise that such quick removal action was enacted.
Last year 309,000 foreign citizens came to study in Britain. While the number of local UK students entering university from 2006-7 remained static, the number of foreign students going to UK universities increased by 6 per cent. The Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell stated in response that “the UK remains an extremely popular destination for international students.” The actions of the immigration agency have insured that this will remain the case.
Foreign students are an enormous source of income for universities. The University of Kent has one of the highest numbers of international students, along with universities such as the London School of Economics (LSE). It remains a constant source of criticism is that Universities rely too heavily on the enormous source of income that international students provide.
I have been with my partner for a year now and he has been in this country from nigeria on an overstayed student visa for a while but he has only just told me that its expired. He is at uni in London and is worried that he will have to pull out and be deported because the university have asked to see his passport. What can he do as he only has a year to pass his course.
By joanne ableson on 2.7.2010
If you are unhappy with this comment please refer to our terms and conditions and contact us with any any concerns.