
Originally Posted by
Rave
To: Mr Damian Green, Immigration Minister
Dear Mr Green,
I write in relation to today's extraordinary announcement by the UK Border Agency that they would be revoking with immediate effect London Metropolitan University's licence to recruit non-EU international students.
I have no connection with London Metropolitan University, and I do not work in the education sector. I would even say that I broadly support a well managed reduction in net immigration to this country. However, the way in which this case has been handled frankly beggars belief.
To justify this decision, UKBA published the results of an audit which found that of 101 indicidual student cases reviewed, 26 were found to have no right to remain in the country. 75 of them, or very nearly three-quarters, evidently did. I can understand why it might be felt necessary to revoke the university's licence to recruit international students in the future. What I cannot understand is why existing foreign students of the university must be prevented from completing their qualifications at the institution they have studied at for one or more years already, where they are presumably settled in to their courses, familiar with their tutors and lecturers, and where they have presumably made suitable housing arrangements. This is not only a gross overreaction, it is a case of collective punishment befitting a tinpot dictatorship, not a first-world democracy.
The announcement of a 'Task Force' to help the students affected is an inadequate and frankly pathetic gesture, unless of course they are going to guarantee another university place (and housing and resettlement expenses for anyone that requires such) to every single student who came here in good faith and complied with the terms of their visa?
I would urge you, Sir, to review and revise this decision as soon as possible. If you cannot or will not do that, then I would ask you to review your position, because if you think that this is an acceptable way to treat people who have come here as invited guests of our country, and who have spent in most cases tens of thousands of pounds into our economy, you are clearly not fit to hold public office.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours Sincerely,