The United Kingdom Home Office has launched a new campaign aimed at tackling what it describes as an alarming rise in student visa holders attempting to stay in the country by claiming asylum.
Penpushing reports that towards these thousands of international students in the United Kingdom are being directly contacted by the government with a warning to leave the country when their visa expires or face removal
The campaign came amid growing concern in Whitehall about students using the asylum system as a way to remain in the country after their studies end, while in a first-of-its-kind move, the government is now proactively contacting students via text and email to issue formal warnings about the consequences of overstaying.
Penpushing further reports that the messages emphasized that if the students have no legal right to remain in the United Kingdom, they must leave else they would be removed
The Home Office data, has it that around 15 per cent of asylum applications last year—approximately 16,000—were submitted by people who originally arrived on student visas.
Penpushing also reports that the data, however, does not specify how many of those were made after visas had expired, while officials say the pattern is clear enough to warrant immediate action.
The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was quoted saying that some students are claiming asylum even when things have not changed in their home country, explaining that the authorities will do its bit to support genuine refugees
“We obviously will do our bit to support genuine refugees, but if nothing has changed in their country, people should not be claiming asylum at the end of a student course, Cooper stated
Penpushing reports that the secretary pointed out that the growing number of students entering the asylum system is placing added pressure on already overstretched asylum accommodation and hotel services.
“If you submit an asylum claim that lacks merit, it will be swiftly and robustly refused. Any request for asylum support will be assessed against destitution criteria. If you do not meet the criteria, you will not receive support’, the messages emphasised.
Penpushing further reports that record showed that about 10,000 students whose visas are nearing expiry have already received direct warnings, while 130,000 students and their families are expected to be contacted in the coming months.
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