Students and staff protest over immigration system

by Katarzyna Janiak

Overseas students and staff have attacked the new points-based system for immigration, as students face the threat of losing their visas.

Students at Goldsmiths University recently wrote a petition trying to force the new warden to take a stand on the new system that forces universities to pass on information about students to the UK Border Agency (UKBA).

The apparent lack of clarity appears to be a major concern with the new system.

According to new regulations, universities are obliged to report a student that misses “10 expected contacts”.

However, the list provided by the UKBA ends with a statement that reads: “This list is not exhaustive - other types of interaction with students may also count as expected contacts.”

Civil liberties

The University and College Union (UCU) has called the points-based immigration system “a major attack on the civil liberties of staff and students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).”

According to Arianna Tassinari, Student Affairs Officer at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), students face a tough task trying to fight the measures.

“We tried to start a similar campaign, but even if most lecturers are against passing on information about attendance, they are reluctant to sign any petition, because the university may lose the right to employ overseas staff at all.

"This is because the UKBA can retract their licence for not complying with the law.”

Tassinari went on: “For a university like SOAS that offers many courses in foreign languages, this is a serious threat. There is an atmosphere of fear and suspicion on the campus. It is very bad for the students.”

Yuka Manabe was a student caught up in the problems that the new system has created, when she learned that she was just one step away from having her visa cancelled.

“My teacher told me that if I miss one more class they will report it to UKBA and my visa will be cancelled.

"They are very strict now with working as well. They also threaten not only the student, but companies employing them.

“Many of my friends used to go to two classes a week just for attendance and they worked much more than 20 hours. They can’t do it now as everything is controlled.”