Abiola Olatunji-Orelope, 34, was arrested along with his wife Folashade, 28, after their home in Claxton Path, Lewisham, was raided by the UK Border Agency on 9 September 2010.

Officers uncovered 50 counterfeit passports in various stages of construction purporting to be Ghanaian, Nigerian, Irish, Czech and even British issue.

They also seized 20 counterfeit German, Dutch and French Identity cards, around 40 fake Home Office and other National Government rubber visa stamps and ink pads, cutting boards, razor blades, paint thinners, glue, laminates, forged visas and around 30 blank birth and marriage certificates.

Officers even found a book containing a list of orders from clients and passport sized photos ready to be used in the forgeries.

Abiola Olatunji-Orelope pleaded guilty to fraud, deception and possessing false identity documents.

On Monday 23 May at Croydon Crown Court he was sentenced to three years in prison. His wife admitted possessing false identity documents and was given a one year suspended sentence plus 140 hours community service.

Alex Ttaris, from the UK Border Agency’s criminal and financial investigation team, said:

‘This was a sophisticated criminal operation, and I have no doubt that these fake documents would have been used to flout immigration rules, gain employment, open bank accounts and obtain other goods and services by deception.’

Anyone who has information about immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously. Source: UK Border Agency

See also:

Judges block UK Government’s attempt to deport terrorists

UK Border Agency say ‘unnecessary’ immigration appeals will end

More ‘radical’ reforms under way, says Immigration Minister

Immigration News Weekly Round up 22 May 2011

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Should the Home Secretary have the power to exclude from entering the United Kingdom those people she has reasonable grounds for thinking pose a threat to the safety and security of the rest of us? Most voters think the answer to that question is “Yes”. Our judges, however, disagree. Since they decide whether the law has been properly complied with, they feel they should have the last word on whether any individual should be deported in order to secure “the public good”.

As we report today, the latest skirmish in that long conflict has ended in another defeat for the Home Secretary, who has once again been obliged to allow an individual believed to be involved in terrorism to remain at liberty here. The Court of Appeal ruled that a Tunisian identified only as “MK” must be allowed to stay in Britain while his appeal against deportation is heard: that process has so far taken nine months, and counting. “MK” has one conviction for a terrorism-related offence in Tunisia, and another for forging documents in Italy. There is evidence that he has been involved in “extremist radicalisation”. That, however, did not carry any weight with the judges. They stated that the wording of the relevant statute “does not provide a power to exclude [an individual] in the limited circumstances contemplated”.

Poor drafting of the 2002 Nationality, Asylum and Immigration Act, another of Labour’s misbegotten legislative legacies, may be responsible: a large part of the ruling centred on the meaning of the word “while” in the phrase “while he is in the United Kingdom”. Yet an issue as fundamental as whether or not an individual poses a threat to Britain’s security should surely not be decided on so flimsy a basis. This is not the essence of the rule of law: it is the essence of pedantry.

It is important to be clear that the issue here is not whether the Home Secretary should have unfettered discretion to throw out whomever she chooses. The dispute is rather about how far the judiciary should be able to substitute their judgement for hers on the matter of whether or not public safety is compatible with the continued presence of someone believed to be involved in terrorism. We find it extremely difficult to understand why the judges cannot appreciate that, when the Home Secretary makes a determination that an individual’s presence is not conducive to the public good, the decision has been made after careful consideration of all the relevant facts. There should be a presumption against overturning it – even if there is some interpretation of the statutes which suggests that she did not exercise her power precisely as conferred.

It is notable that Britain’s judges appear to be alone in Europe in their determination to overturn decisions by government officials about the dangers posed by individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism. In France and in Italy, there is no question of someone whom the state wishes to deport being allowed to remain in the country because he has to be able to launch an appeal. Our present Government could no doubt introduce new primary legislation that would close the loophole – but while the judges maintain their present attitude, it is hard to believe that they would not find a way round it, and again allow suspected terrorists to stay in the UK. The judiciary has repeatedly demonstrated an alarming lack of awareness of the seriousness of the problem posed by terrorism. The safety of our country is too important to be left to their decisions. Source: The Telegraph.

What’s your view?

Do you agree that the Government should have the power to exclude terrorists from entering the United Kingdom?

Do you agree with the Telegraph’s view that Judges have gone too far and are abusing their position or are they just upholding the law?

See also:

UK Border Agency say ‘unnecessary’ immigration appeals will end

More ‘radical’ reforms under way, says Immigration Minister

Immigration News Weekly Round up 22 May 2011

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

From Monday 23 May, immigration and asylum appeal tribunals will not consider evidence submitted after an application has been made, in appeals relating to applications made in the UK under the points-based system.

UK Border Agency statistics show that around two-thirds of appeals allowed by immigration judges are due to late evidence being submitted.

The rules change is designed to end unnecessary appeals and help make sure that applications are right first time. It will apply to all applications made within the UK through the points-based system.

Damian Green said:

‘For too long, the taxpayer has had to shoulder the burden of a system which allowed individuals to drag out their appeal by submitting new evidence at the last minute.

‘The changes I am making today will put an end to this practice for good.’

The minister added that this is one of a raft of improvements that will make the system ‘more robust, efficient and cost effective’.

The government has already introduced an annual limit on economic migrants from outside the EU, as well as making major reforms to the student visa system.

These measures are aimed at attracting the brightest and the best, while reducing net migration and tackling abuse of the system.

This week the UK Border Agency announced that from 23 May 2011, Section 19 of the UK Borders Act 2007 will restrict the evidence that an applicant can rely on at an appeal hearing.

See also:

UKBA announce restrictions on ‘new evidence’ on points-based appeals

More ‘radical’ reforms under way, says Immigration Minister

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

The new rules means that any evidence submitted must have been produced at the time when the application was made and will apply to all appeals heard for the first time on or after 23 May against refusals of applications to remain in the UK under a points-based system category.

Appeals that have been part-heard or fully heard by the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) by this date will not be affected.

The agency warns applicants saying:

‘If you want to apply for permission to remain in the UK under a points-based system category, you should take particular care to consult and follow the relevant guidance and checklists on this website when making you application. You must ensure that you submit all required documentation with your application.

Any new evidence submitted at an hearing for the first time after 23 May 2011 will only be allowed if it is being used to prove, for example, that a document originally submitted was genuine, or if it is in support of grounds unrelated to the scoring of points under the points-based system.’ Source: UK Border Agency.

Earlier this week Immigration Minister Damian Green said the government will be introducing more radical reforms to the immigration system.

See also:

More ‘radical’ reforms under way, says Immigration Minister

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

The charity’s move comes as part of the Home Office’s pledge to stop detaining children in the immigration system.

The UK Border Agency will convert a special needs school near Gatwick into the centre.

Ministers will have the power to order families to be held for up to a week.

The Home Office’s new system, announced earlier this year, involves increasing pressure on failed asylum families to leave with the help of various inducements and counselling.

Under the plans, a special new panel including child welfare experts will give the UKBA the go-ahead to take families to the centre when there is proof that they are resisting all other attempts to deport them.

The “Pre-departure accommodation”, described in local council planning documents, will have nine private apartments for families and spacious grounds. It also has a 2.3m high perimeter fence.

Family members might be allowed to leave the grounds under escort if officials believe they will not abscond. Families will be held for up to 72 hours initially – but some could be held for up to a week if a minister approves.

Barnardo’s, which has been part of a coalition lobbying the Home Office, says it has agreed to run welfare, counselling and children’s play services because the families involved would need support at a critical moment in their lives.

It also believes its presence will help hold the Home Office to its commitment to run a more humane removal system.

In a speech on Thursday defending the decision, the charity’s chief executive Anne Marie Carrie is expected to say that she will speak out if the centre is used routinely, rather than as a last resort.

“We recognise that when every other avenue has been explored, when a family has no right to remain in the UK and when the independent return panel deems it appropriate – secure pre-departure accommodation may, as a last resort, be necessary,” Ms Carrie is expected to say.

“For the government to meet its commitment – this accommodation cannot just be a ‘detention centre’ by another name. It needs to be a truly family-focused centre that offers its residents access to high quality welfare and support services during their last few days in the country.”

Barnardo’s decision has surprised some campaigners who believe that the UKBA has been trying to back-track on pledges made by ministers to end child detention.

Immigration Minister Damian Green welcomed Barnardo’s decision.

“It is crucial that the welfare of children remains an absolute priority during the returns process and the use of this new accommodation will be a last resort,” he said.

“It will, however, have an entirely different look and feel to an immigration removal centre with a high degree of privacy for each family.

“I believe our new approach is both fair and humane. We are providing assistance packages and family conferences to ensure families understand their options, and will be trying to ensure that families can remain in the community prior to their departure home.”

Heaven Crawley, professor of international migration at Swansea University, said the new centre was “not called detention but clearly is”.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We have been looking for alternatives… ever since the government announced its commitment to end detention and what’s being proposed in this new process is really something of a repackaging”.

Prof Crawley called for improvements in asylum case management so that families “accept the final decision” and return home voluntarily without having to be subject to detention.

She said there were examples of such a system working in Canada, Australia and other parts of Europe. Source: BBC.

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) have registered their opposition to proposals from the UK Border Agency to limit the number of international students allowed to study in the UK, the Journal reports.

EUSA President Liz Rawlings discussed the Student Immigration System consultation document during a meeting with Scottish Government officials.

The document clearly suggests restricting the availability of post-study work visas, further English language tests for applicants and a ban on student visa holders bringing dependents to the UK if their course is less than 12 months long.

Ms Rawlings said: “The proposals in this consultation have not been thought through. Taking away the post-study work visa would be disastrous for current international students and would radically reduce the number of students coming to the UK to study in future.

“International students benefit Scotland and the rest of the UK both economically and culturally. They also significantly contribute to the diversity of Edinburgh University, which should be celebrated, not restricted.

“EUSA are opposing these proposals in the strongest possible way.”

Foreign students make up most of numbers increase

The meeting between Ms Rawlings and the Scottish Government came as figures released by UCAS on 20 January showed that the rise in student numbers in 2010 was entirely made up of foreign students.

Of the 5,475 extra places awarded at UK universities last year, EU students filled one third, with the rest taken up by students of other nationalities. The number of British students on courses in the UK fell during the previous year by 400.

According to Universities Scotland, which represents the university principals, the new immigration laws will mean that Scotland will have stricter visa rules and regulations than the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany, all of who are in close competition with Scotland for overseas students.

UCAS reported that there were 3,208 non-EU applicants accepted to Scottish universities in 2010, a number nearly equal to the 3,365 accepted applicants from the EU.

Universities Scotland has written to MPs and requested a separate immigration policy for Scotland, arguing that the current proposals may pose a “big threat” to universities in the country.

Alastair Sim, the director of Universities Scotland, complained about the restriction proposal that came at the same time as funding cuts to universities, stating: “At the same time as university funding is cut across the UK, and universities are told to increase their income from other sources, we face a set of proposals which will completely undermine our ability to succeed in what is already a highly competitive market.”

Overseas students often pay twice the amount or more in tution fees compared to UK and EU students. In 2006-2007, six per cent of students studying in Scotland were from countries outside the EU, and in 2007-2008 the total income from international student fees to all 20 Scottish universities was £188 million.

UKBA announced in December that it was seeking opinions on proposed reforms to Tier 4 visas, used by foreign students coming to the UK.

Immigration Minister Damian Green said: “I believe attracting talented students from abroad is vital to the UK but we must be more selective about who can come here and how long they can stay.

“People imagine students to be those who come here for a few years to study at university and then go home – that is not always the case. Too many students coming to study at below degree level have been coming here with a view to living and working, rather than studying. We need to stop this abuse.”

The consultation encompasses 11 possible changes to UK immigration law affecting students. One major concern is the proposed limits on employment rights, particularly for work placements and work between undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Ms Rawlings singled out the proposal to limit the rights of students to bring dependents to the UK as potentially being in violation of human rights legislation.

“It would be a disaster for single parent families, who have a right to a family life,” she told The Journal. Source: Journal-online.co.uk

See also: 

How to Obtain a Student Visa to Study in the UK

Scottish Universities fears over tough new Tier 4 visa rules

There are just a few days remaining to take part in the Student Immigration System public consultation which will help shape the future of international student visa rules in the UK for the next few years.

You can respond online to the consultation at: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/student-consult-online 

Immigration rules are changing all the time and whilst the above information will be correct at the time of going to press you should always check the UK Visas and UK Border Agency websites for updates.Bison UK are offering a free initial immigration consultation for students – no appointment required. 

To benefit from this offer, email Evelie at Bison UK  evelie@recruitnurse.com or call her on 0208 9051822 (overseas clients call +44 208 905 1822). Website: www.recruitnurse.com

In March 2009 the UK Border Agency implemented the Tier 4 points based system for student visa applicants. In the year that followed record numbers of international students obtained visas to study in the UK. 

One of the main reasons that around 300,000 students were granted visas was that for the first time entry clearance was granted purely on the basis of a qualifying points score rather than at the discretion of an entry clearance officer (ECO). The more relaxed regime resulted in far less refusals and visas being granted in a matter of days and weeks instead of months.

How do I qualify for a Tier 4 student visa?

To qualify for entry clearance to the UK under a student visa, you need to obtain a minimum score of 40 points for your application to be considered: 

• 30 points – awarded for taking a course with an approved educational provider
• 10 points – award for proving maintenance

The UK Border Agency awards 30 points if you are accepted to a suitable course in an ‘A’ or ‘B’ rated, or highly trusted educational institution listed on the Tier 4 Sponsors Register. Publicly funded educational institutions, universities and private colleges and schools are among those institutions allowed to sponsor non-EU students. If the institution is not on the Tier 4 sponsors register you will not get a visa. 

What is an acceptable level of course?

The UK Border Agency specifies that a course which leads to an approved qualification is:

• approved at level 3 or above on the National Qualifications framework (NQF), or at the same level in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), by the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC) or by the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland; or
• a short-term study abroad programme in the UK as part of your qualification at an overseas higher education institution, as long as UK NARIC confirms that the qualification is at or above the level of a UK degree – you can find UK NARIC’s contact details on the right side of this page; or
• an English language course at or above level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

For lower level courses you will need to show a minimum proficiency in English by taking a secure English Test.

The documentary evidence you need to submit to claim the 30 points is the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number (this replace the paper based Visa Letter), which will be given to you by your education provider. 

In as much as students under the Tier 4 visa can expect limited access to public funds, applicants are required to be able to present proof that they are financially able to support their studies and living costs while in the UK. Either a bank statement or a certification of financial capacity is the documentary proof a prospective student has a present to claim the 10 points for the maintenance requirement. 

English Language Requirement

Last year new immigration rules were introduced which now require prospective Tier 4 Student Visa applicants to present proof of English ability if they are enrolling on courses below NQF level 6 and its equivalents, but excluding those students who are enrolling on Foundation degrees and HND’s in Scotland. Proof of English should be at a minimum of CEFR level B1.

How do I apply for a student visa?

You may lodge your application for a Tier 4 Student Visa using an online application, which you can find by going to your local British Embassy or UK Visas website. You need to complete the points scoring as one of the appendices. The other appendices are the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies reference number to be given by the educational institution, and the certification that you have the required amount of maintenance based on the length of your course and the location of the educational institution. 

How much money do I need to satisfy the maintenance requirement?

If you will be studying on a course longer than 9 months in inner London, your monthly maintenance would be amount to the first year’s course fees plus £7200 to cover living costs for nine months. For outside the inner London area it will be the first year’s course fees plus £5400 to cover living costs for nine months. 

The maintenance requirements differ for those extending student visas whilst in the UK. For Inner London you need to show that you have a minimum of the first year of course fees and £1,600 to cover living costs for two months, and £1200 for outside the inner London area. 

However, the above figures only apply to those students who can demonstrate an ‘Established Presence’ in the UK – have you completed your previous course?

Effective October 1, 2010, the UK Border Agency has set the new fees for visa applications. For those outside of the UK, the mail applicant needs to pay a fee of £220. A £220 application fee will also be assessed for each family member (partner or children) applying at the same time or at a later time with that of the main applicant. Student visa processing is free of charge for Chevening, British Marshall, Fulbright and Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship Plan holders. 

If you are in the UK and submit the application by post, the fee is £357 for the main applicant. Additionally, partner or child under 18 will be assessed £100 each if they apply together with the main applicant; £500 each if they apply later and £500 each for children over 18 years old. 

Submissions made personally will cost £650 for the main applicant; £150 for each family member included in the main applicant’s application form as long as the child is under 18, £800 if submitted later; and, £800 for each child over 18. 

Can I work whilst I am studying in the UK?

Yes, you can work part time during your stay and, subject to the rules, you are allowed to:

• work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during term-time;
• work full-time during vacations;
• do a work placement as part of your course;
• work as a postgraduate doctor or dentist (if your course of study is a recognised Foundation Programme); and
• be a student union sabbatical officer for up to two years.

The immigration rules concerning work and vocational and lower level courses were changed by the UK Border Agency last April. In brief, the Immigration Rules now contain changes from last year’s Tier 4 review, including the rules governing the new Highly Trusted sponsor licence. Only sponsors who hold a Highly Trusted sponsor licence (mostly government and larger institutions) can now offer the following courses, known as ‘restricted courses’, to Tier 4 (General) students:

• courses at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 3 or equivalent; and
• courses below degree level that include a work placement (other than foundation degrees, which can still be offered with a work placement by any Tier 4 (General) sponsor).

Following the changes, education providers who hold a standard Tier 4 sponsor licence are only able offer courses at or above NQF level 4 or equivalent, and cannot offer courses that include work placements unless those courses are degree-level courses or foundation degrees. 

If you are studying a restricted course at an institution that does not hold a Highly Trusted sponsor licence, or is temporarily suspended from bringing in new students, you can continue to study at that institution until you complete their course of study or your visa/permission to stay under Tier 4 expires, whichever is sooner.

In practice, most students coming to the UK choose to study higher level courses at level 5 and above.

I am in the UK and want to renew my student visa but confused about how all the recent rule changes will affect my application as I am changing college?

Probably the most common questions in our mailbox relate to student visas, visa extension refusals and working hours. Students, employers and even the occasional UK Border Agency officer are confused by the raft of immigration rule changes over the last few years.

A major concern is what students should do to stay on the right side of the law when moving college or changing course. The answer to these questions largely depends on when you arrived in the UK and what type of visa you hold. See Yes, there are many types of student visa so beware when changing college. 

Do I need an Immigration Adviser?

You do not have to use an adviser or lawyer to make a UK immigration or visa application, however, mistakes can be very costly so it can pay to take professional advice from a qualified registered Immigration Adviser before you apply. 

For instance, one mistake on a Student Tier 4 General form (or FLR form), or forgetting to submit the correct supporting documentation, could result in a refusal which may then involve a full appeal at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) or curtailment of your visa. You will also lose the fees paid to the UK Border Agency.

To provide immigration and visa assistance to students, Bison Management UK Immigration Law Practitioners are running a special ’promo’ for international Students who are due for visa extension. The special visa handling fee is now just £595 including VAT (was £650), which includes legal advice, assessment of supporting documents and completion of the 43 page Tier 4 Student form.  

Bison UK also offers a free initial immigration consultation – no appointment required. 

To benefit from this offer, email Evelie at Bison UK  evelie@recruitnurse.com or call her on 0208 9051822 (overseas clients call +44 208 905 1822). Website: www.recruitnurse.com

Immigration rules are changing all the time and whilst the above information will be correct at the time of going to press you should always check the UK Visas and UK Border Agency websites for updates.

There are less that two weeks left to take part in the Student Immigration System public consultation which will help shape the future of international student visa rules in the UK for the next few years.

You can respond online to the consultation at: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/student-consult-online

The 18-year-old singer faces deportation after her mother wrongly claimed state benefits.

Speaking from a secret location in Scotland, she said her relatives back home have been approached by men she feared work for her country’s ruthless President Robert Mugabe.

She told the News of the World: ‘I’ve been in the public eye now and people there know I’ve fled Mugabe’s regime. They will punish us if we go back. They’re going to know where we are.

‘There’s a firing squad waiting for us there and they’re putting me in front of it.’

The singer said she had not been contacted by show judges Simon Cowell or Cheryl Cole although she had heard Cowell’s lawyers were ‘trying to help.’

Last week it emerged Nhengu and her family faced being kicked out of the UK after the visa application of her mother Nokuthula Ngazana was turned down over the benefit claims.

Ms Ngazana’s lawyer Frances Farrell said she planned to fight the decision at an immigration tribunal despite the family being told they have no right of appeal.

Officials have told them they must leave the country voluntarily or face deportation.

She told the Sunday People she had spent the last week locked in her bedroom sobbing since the decision that wrecked her future.

She said: ‘I’m a total mess. People want to know if I’m OK – well, I’m definitely not OK.

‘I don’t understand. I’m a good person, what have I done to deserve this? I feel so responsible I have put my family through all this.

‘My two brothers have had to be kept out of school because they are so upset and it’s all my fault. If I hadn’t applied for the X Factor none of this would ever have happened.’

She told the People she couldn’t think straight and was not in a ‘good place’.

Despite more than 250,000 people signing up to a Facebook group calling for Nhengu to be re-instated, the idea was rejected by X Factor producers.

Last night she was not among the four wildcards picked to join the final 12 by the show’s judges.

Contestants Treyc Cohen, Wagner, Paije Richardson and duo Diva Fever had their hopes of pop stardom revived after being selected for the live show. Source: The Mail on Sunday.

The Mail has claimed that multi-millionaire TV mogul Simon Cowell will put his considerable resources behind the Gamu family appeal, which will be much needed if the case goes to an expensive Judicial Review. However, with or without Simon the family will probably qualify for legal aid.

The fact that the family are from an unstable country like Zimbabwe will also act in their favour.

The case has already attracted a frenzy of media attention, which may help their case. High profile deportations and immigration cases often result in Home Office leniency. Who could forget Joanna Lumley’s ambush on the then Immigration Minister Phil Woolas, who eventually agreed to many of the demands of former Gurkha soldiers she was representing.

Yet the fact is that hundreds of people in this situation, where their visas have expired even for a few days, are deported each month with no fanfare or Facebook protest group.

In this sad case the Rules are pretty clear, but leave to remain can be granted ‘outside the rules’ in exceptional circumstances, which is why it is always advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified appeal specialist.

See also:

X-factor Gamu’s family to appeal against visa refusal

Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules on Family Reunion for Refugees

Changes to sponsor guidance announced by UKBA

Weekly UK Immigration News Round up 10 October 2010

Joanna Lumley in ‘Gurkha ambush’ on Immigration Minister

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Nobel prize-winners join the lobby calling for a re-think on the UK Government’s proposed limit on skilled migration. With around 10.5% of UK academics coming from outside the country – why all the fuss about an ‘immigration cap’ having a negative impact on British science?

X-factor Gamu’s family to appeal against visa refusal

Lawyers acting for the family of ousted X Factor contestant Gamu Nhengu will appeal against a Home Office decision to send them back to Zimbabwe, the BBC reports.

Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules on Family Reunion for Refugees

Cm 7944, laid before parliament on 1 October, not only introduces from 29 November 2010 the English language requirement for spouses and civil partners it also reverses the Supreme Court decision in ZN. Paragraphs 352A-FJ are amended from 22 October 2010 so that a grant of British citizenship automatically revokes refugee status.

Almost 10,000 nursing posts lost through recruitment freezes the Royal College of Nursing reveals

The Guardian reports that Health trusts are cutting thousands of jobs to deliver £20bn of NHS “efficiencies” despite the coalition government’s promises to protect frontline services, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned this.

Immigration gang arrests in massive UK Border Agency operation

The UK Border Agency arrested five people last week as part of a major investigation into a gang suspected of supplying illegal workers to UK employers.

Changes to sponsor guidance announced by UKBA

The UK Border Agency has published revised guidance for sponsors and would-be sponsors under Tiers 2, 4 and 5 of the points-based system, it was announced last week.

Former British MP George Galloway arrives in Canada after ban lifted

George Galloway says he may still take legal action against Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney for branding him a terrorist and trying to muzzle his anti-war views, the BBC reports.

Uruguay is South America’s best-kept immigration secret

The BBC reports on Uruguay, to which after a decades-long pause, expatriates from rich countries are again choosing to live.

US Government to issue travel warning for Americans in Europe

The US government is to issue a travel alert, warning its citizens to be vigilant while travelling in Europe because of the threat of an al-Qaeda commando-style attack, the BBC reports.

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Lawyers acting for the family of ousted X Factor contestant Gamu Nhengu will appeal against a Home Office decision to send them back to Zimbabwe, the BBC reports.

Frances Farrell said she had intended to seek a judicial review, but now believes there are grounds to appeal directly to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT).

Gamu’s mother, Nokuthula Ngazana, who has been living in Clackmannanshire for eight years, was refused permission to stay in the UK after her visa expired in August.

Her daughter was controversially eliminated from ITV’s X Factor by judge Cheryl Cole on Sunday. The show’s bosses have denied reports that the decision was influenced by fears that Gamu’s visa was about to run out.

Almost 250,000 people have joined a Facebook campaign calling for Gamu’s return to the show.

Family lawyer Mrs Farrell said the situation had been “very upsetting for all the family” and deplored the leaking of confidential details of the case to some newspapers.

“We believe there is a right of appeal against the decision and we’re going to be lodging an appeal with the immigration tribunal as soon as possible,” she said.

“My client has been in this country for about eight years now, absolutely legally all the time.”

She also said she would refute claims that the family had claimed benefits illegally, contending that Gamu’s mother Nokutula Ngazana had been advised by the Inland Revenue that she could claim Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

The visa extension was turned down on the grounds there was an administrative error in the application.

The family’s solicitors said the error was due to Mrs Ngazana giving the wrong bank details, so the fee for the application could not be taken.

The application was judged “out of time” as a result, but the lawyers said it was lodged in time.

A crowd of about 150 people gathered outside the family’s home in Tillicoultry to show their support after news of the visa refusal was made public.

Many of them where pupils at Alva Academy, where Gamu used to be a pupil.

And locals have now started a campaign against the decision by the UK Border Agency. More than 1,100 people have signed the appeal started by John Locke, the pastor of the evangelical church that Gamu and her family attend.

Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules on Family Reunion for Refugees

Immigration Officers say ‘access denied’ to internet lover seeking entry into the UK

Changes to sponsor guidance announced by UKBA

If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: 

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk