The findings are revealed by the Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales, Dame Anne Owers.

Inspectors monitored immigration escort staff involved in removing detainees from Heathrow Airport.

It says when officers escorting immigration offenders mistreat them, removals are more likely to fail.

The report cites the case of four Afghan detainees, who were initially willing to fly home.

Then, in what the report describes as an “unnecessary and intimidating” intervention, escort staff warned the detainees they would be “dealt with” if they were “naughty” on the plane. They refused to go.

Valid documents

Removals were also cancelled due to staff shortages and because nurses had not been booked to accompany detainees with health problems.

Sometimes detainees were flown back to the UK because their home countries said their paperwork was not in order.

On one occasion, escort staff taking a woman to Mozambique were themselves locked up after the authorities there questioned whether their documents were valid.

Dame Anne said: “This short report found worrying gaps and weaknesses in complaints and monitoring processes.

“It also found varying practice, with no evidence that the good and thoughtful approach of some staff was mirrored in clear and consistent standards of treatment, support and communication.

“This heightened the risk of ill-treatment or abuse, and was also likely to lead to failed removals.”

David Wood, director of the criminality and detention group at the UK Border Agency said anyone involved in the detention and removal of detainees was highly trained.

“Many detainees refuse to leave the UK voluntarily, even when the courts say they must. In some cases individuals become violent toward themselves, the public or our staff when it is time to go home.

“Detainee escorts have a very difficult job to do in carrying out what the public expects of the UK Border Agency in enforcing our immigration laws.” 

Source BBC 

It is estimated that the cost of deporting a person is around £10,000, but this could be much higher if the case goes to a legal aid funded appeal, with the migrant being held in a detention centre for months on end.

Leading think tank, ippr, said it would it would take at least 20 years to find and remove half a million illegal immigrants at a cost of over £5 billion.

Earlier this month the Government was criticised for wasting millions of pounds flying illegal immigrants back to their country in private jets.

Have you had any experience or dealings with removal teams? Make your comment below.

Related articles:

Millions wasted on deportations by private jet

UK immigrant amnesty ‘worth £3bn’ say LSE 

If you need any immigration advice or help with Studying in the UK, Settlement, Citizenship, Sponsorship, extending Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

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

Keshav Singhal said Wales was more affected by a UK-wide shortage of doctors than other areas. He said:

“The recruitment from the Indian subcontinent which traditionally filled a lot of gaps in the NHS has almost completely dried up.”

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) said the points based immigration system used was flexible.

The British Medical Association in Wales has called for urgent action over the shortage of middle-grade doctors, who often act as the senior doctor on duty in hospitals.

It has said immigration law changes have led to doctors recruited overseas having their entry to the UK delayed.

One west Wales NHS trust has said it has more than 60 vacant doctor posts which could make some of its hospitals “clinically unsafe”.

In Swansea, a crisis in doctor recruitment has led the city’s in-patient paediatrics unit being moved from Singleton Hospital to Morriston Hospital. The move is being made on Thursday.

Mr Singhal, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, said immigration policy changes as well as the European directive limiting junior doctors’ working hours were affecting doctor recruitment. He said:

“The two coming together more or less at the same time has meant that we just don’t have enough pairs of hands.

“The doctors who are permitted to come over [from overseas] are only permitted to do so for very short stretches, which is neither enough to complete their training, nor enough to give them a career in this country.

“The government needs to look at it very seriously and perhaps devise a Welsh-specific solution because it’s more of a problem in Wales than it is in home counties.”

Points-based system

He said Wales historically had a recruitment shortfall because locally-trained doctors had a “tendency to gravitate towards London”.

“That [shortfall] has traditionally been filled by overseas doctors and that has dried up,” he said.

A UK Border Agency spokesperson said:

“Our Australian-style points based system does not prevent overseas doctors the health service needs from coming to the UK.

“Foreign doctors can come here to work through Tier 1, which is for highly skilled migrants, or Tier 2, which is for skilled migrants. Students coming to the UK to study medicine can come in under Tier 4.

“The points based system means only those we need can come here to work. It is also flexible so that we can raise or lower the bar according to the needs of the labour market and the country as a whole.

“Overseas doctors who meet the criteria will be welcomed.

“The Migration Advisory Committee has also recognised shortages in a number of specialities and their advice has been accepted by the government.”
Source BBC

Immigration Matters Comment

The UKBA is technically correct, although it is not that easy for foreign Doctors to understand and jump through the hoops of Tier’s 1,2 and 4.

 Even under the previous Work Permit scheme, increasing overseas recruitment for any sector would be simply be a matter of the Home Office or UKBA adding the job to the Shortage Occupations list.

The UKBA recently revised the list following recommendations by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which advises the Government on labour shortages throughout the UK, but did not include junior or middle ranking doctors.

The list had been earlier revised because British junior doctors were not able to find work.

The problem appears to be regional rather than national. Wales and Scotland has always struggled to recruit both Nurses and Doctors, as migrant workers tend to gravitate towards larger Cities and the South East of England.

Scottish MP’s have long called for its own immigration policy, but this has been ruled out due to fears that the system could be abused.  

Scotland (and parts of the North of England and Wales) has a falling population, but has yet to come up with any other way of increasing the number of people willing to settle there other than through immigration.

I am in the Philippines this week an will be speaking at the MOVE EXPO at the SMX Convention Centre in Manila on 31 July and 1 August. 

The migration show and conference is expection up to 10,0000 visitors and will have exhibitors of work and study schemes, as well as colleges such as NVQ provider Majestic College.

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

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk/

Related articles

Would you live in Scotland to earn a British Passport?

New Government-approved shortage occupation lists for Tier 2 of the Points Based System

How to switch immigration categories into the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General)

Points Based Tier 4 starts 31 March  

UK migrants face tougher challenge to work, study or settle

Public concerns about a “population explosion” over the next 20 years have forced the Government to propose a points-based system for those seeking citizenship.

The population of 61million is expected to hit 70million by 2029 and ministers have made it harder for migrants on work permits to stay permanently in the Borders Citizenship Act 2009, which received the Royal Assent on 21 July.

But yesterday, the Scottish Secretary revealed that if immigrants were willing to live in under-populated parts of Britain, they would find it easier to pass the test.

Jim Murphy said:

‘Having lived and worked in Scotland is proposed as one way to earn points.’

The move, contained in a draft consultation to be released in the next few weeks, means prospective British citizens already settled in Britain may flock north of the border, where the population is falling, to ensure they have enough points to be successful.

Critics point out it will be extremely difficult to check that an applicant is living and working in Scotland and whether they will stay there.

Also, once a passport application is approved, the Government has no control over the person’s movements as there are obviously no border controls, unless Scot Gordon Brown is proposing to rebuild the Roman ‘Hadrian’s Wall’.

Shadow Immigration Minister Damian Green said:

“This is completely absurd.”

Campaigners said it could damage a sound Home Office policy that is designed to make it tougher for migrants to settle in Britain. At present, there is a firm link between a migrant obtaining a visa to work here, and going on to receive a British passport.

Under these rules, the number of British passports given to migrants is set to hit a record of almost 220,000 this year.

During the first three months of 2009, 54,615 citizenship applications were issued by the Home Office to qualifying migrants – up 57 per cent on the same period a year earlier.

Last year, the number of passports granted was 129,310, and when Labour came to power in 1997, just 37,010 people were given citizenship.

Sir Andrew Green, chairman of the campaign group Migrationwatch UK, said:

“It is an excellent scheme to split economic migration from the right to settle, but it makes no sense to treat Scotland differently.

“A condition requiring residency in Scotland is completely unenforceable. ‘England receives over 90 per cent of immigration, and faces 95 per cent of the extra 10million population now projected for the next 20 years.

We cannot allow the tail to wag the dog on a matter that is so important to the future of our society.”

A Home Office spokesman said:

“The points system has already proved to be a powerful tool for controlling migration, which is why we are now looking at applying its principles to the path to citizenship.

“The measures require migrants to earn citizenship.

“This is the first step towards breaking the automatic link between temporary residence and permanent settlement.

“But, we want to look at raising the bar even more.”

Immigration Matters Comment

Despite the negative press, the idea of allowing immigration to counter emigration from areas of the UK seems to make sense. Similar schemes are used to attract people to live in less popular parts of Canada and Australia.

Scotland (and parts of the North of England and Wales) has a falling population, but has yet to come up with any other way of increasing the number of people willing to settle there.

Read more: http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk/royal-assent-for-the-borders-citizenship-and-immigration-act-2009.html

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

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk/

How will the Care Sector, which depends on overseas workers, and work permit holders be affected by the new Law? 

This week the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 received the Royal Assent, which means the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration ‘Bill’ has now officially become an Act of Parliament and is now enshrined in UK Law.

When a Bill has completed all its parliamentary stages, it needs Royal Assent from the Queen before it can become law. Bills that receive Royal Assent become Acts of Parliament.

The rules are part of the biggest curbs on migration in six decades and will make it harder for working migrants to settle in the UK.  

Related articles:

Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill will make it harder to settle in the UK

How will new Act affect non-EU Care Sector workers?

The care sector, which includes hospitals, care homes and domiciliary care agencies employs a large number of non-EU care workers and nurses on work permits.

Many of these migrant workers, employed on work permits, are expecting to obtain permanent residency or ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’ (ILR) when their current permits expire – having worked for five years.

Under the new Act they may find that this is no longer possible.

Employers could find themselves having to once again extend work permits, which will mean paying further fees and registering as sponsors under Tier 2, if they want to keep their overseas staff such as Senior Carers and Nurses.

Thousands of work permit holders have already had to extend work permits and leave to remain in the last three years when the Home Office moved the then ILR limit from four to five years.

Now the Government is bringing in further changes, which it openly admits will cut down the numbers of migrant workers settling in the UK.

Whether or not you agree with immigration, there can be no argument about the need for overseas workers in the long term care sector.

What should you do if you are in the UK on a Work Permit?

Evelie Padadac of Immigration Advisers Bison UK advises migrant workers to “apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain as soon as you are eligible and make sure your current permit takes you beyond five years of continuous work”.

The new law does not mean work permit holders can no longer obtain ILR, but it will take longer to obtain.

What should you do if you are in the UK under other categories such as ILR?

Apply for Citizenship as soon as you are eligible, unless of course you have no desire to be a British Citizen.

If you do not agree with the above changes, you should write to your MP and ask him or her to write to Phil Woolas to request a longer transitional period.

MORE IMMIGRATION NEWS THIS WEEK:

WWW.IMMIGRATIONMATTERS.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS

House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report on ‘Bogus Colleges’ slams Government

The House of Commons Home Affairs Committee has published it’s report on ‘Bogus Colleges’ heavily criticising the Government for doing enough to control rogue educational institutions. MPs on the committee claim that tens of thousands of foreign nationals “may” have been brought into the UK illegally by fake colleges. Full story…

Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act gives new powers to Border Officers

The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act, which received the Royal Assent on 21 July 2009, gives thousands of customs and immigration officers wide ranging new powers, the UK Border Agency has announced. Full story…

UK Swine Flu Advice Service launched  

A new Swine Flu advice and resource service has been launched today in England by the National Pandemic Flu Service. Full story…

The 2009 MOVE EXPO SMX Convention Center 31 July to 1 August

The 2009 MOVE (Migration Overseas opportunities, Visas and Employment) Expo gives Filipinos a unique opportunity to visit exhibitors from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK – all in one place. Charles Kelly of Immigration Matters will be speaking at the event at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Manila from 31 July to 1 August 2009.

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

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit http://www.immigrationmatters.co.uk/

Border Officers from the UK Border Agency’s West Midlands headquarters, actually quite a long way from any UK border physical post, supported by Warwickshire police officers, used special Co2 probes to detect human breathing in the backs of lorries.

Officers patrolled the lorry park and talked to lorry drivers about immigrants who may have hidden in their vehicles at key border crossings to the United Kingdom such as Calais, gathering intelligence to help catch stowaways sooner.

Quite why the UK Border Agency chose to mount the raid in Warwick, some 183 miles or just under 300km from the port of Dover where most illegal migrants would first enter the UK on the back of a lorry, was not explained.

Drivers were also warned about the heavy financial penalties they could face if they fail to secure their lorries properly.

Simon Excell, UK Border Agency deputy director, said:

‘We have already seen a significant fall in illegal immigrants sneaking in to the United Kingdom thanks to high profile operations like this one and the deployment of a mobile detention van which patrols the motorways of the Midlands and East of England.

‘The message is getting out to would-be illegal migrants and organised smuggling gangs that we will catch them, we will detain them and we will deport them.’

Officers have already detained and impounded several vehicles after drivers and haulage companies were identified as not having paid civil penalties for failing to secure their vehicles during previous immigration checks.

Over £15,000 has so far been recovered in unpaid civil penalties from drivers and haulage companies.

Simon Excell added:

‘Our top priority is to stop would-be illegal immigrants before they reach the United Kingdom. That’s why we’ve got hundreds of British immigration officers based overseas.

‘Since April 2008 our officers based in France and Belgium have stopped over 30,000 individual attempts by illegal migrants to get into Britain.

‘We are leading this crackdown to show that there is no hiding place for those who try to cheat their way across the border.’

This week the UK Border Agency was given wider powers under the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act, which became Law on 21 July. 

It is estimated that the cost of deporting a person is around £10,000, but this could be much higher if the case goes to a legal aid funded appeal, with the migrant being held in a detention centre for months on end.

Leading think tank, ippr, said it would it would take at least 20 years to find and remove half a million illegal immigrants at a cost of over £5 billion.

Earlier this month the Government was criticised for wasting millions of pounds flying illegal immigrants back to their country in private jets.

Related articles:

Millions wasted on deportations by private jet

UK immigrant amnesty ‘worth £3bn’ say LSE 

If you need any immigration advice or help with Studying in the UK, Settlement, Citizenship, Sponsorship, extending Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

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

The care sector, which includes hospitals, care homes and domiciliary care agencies employs a large number of non-EU care workers and nurses on work permits.

Many of these migrant workers, employed on work permits, were expecting to obtain permanent residency or ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’ (ILR) when their current permits expire. Under the new Act they may find that this is no longer possible.

Employers could find themselves having to once again extend work permits, which for some will mean registering as sponsors under Tier 2, if they want to keep their overseas staff such as Senior Carers and Nurses.

Thousands of work permit holders have already had to extend work permits and leave to remain in the last three years when the Home Office moved the then ILR limit from four to five years.

Now the Government is bringing in further changes, which it openly admits will cut down the numbers of migrant workers settling in the UK.

Whether or not you agree with immigration, there can be no argument about the need for overseas workers in the long term care sector.

What should you do if you are in the UK on a Work Permit?

Evelie Padadac of Immigration Advisers Bison UK advises migrant workers to “apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain as soon as you are eligible and make sure your current permit takes you beyond five years of continuous work”.

What should you do if you are in the UK under other categories such as ILR?

Apply for Citizenship as soon as you are eligible, unless of course you have no desire to be a British Citizen.

If you do not agree with the above changes, you should write to your MP and ask him or her to write to Phil Woolas to request a longer transitional period.

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

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

For more information on the Act see: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/legislation/bci

The Government say the powers are needed to create a new “unified force at the border” and to “crack down on illegal immigration and the smuggling”.

Frontline customs and immigration officers will work together as the ‘UK Border Agency’ (UKBA) with the power to question passengers on immigration and customs matters. 

The UKBA said: “this means passengers will face just one primary check point when coming in to the United Kingdom, speeding up their journey”.

More than 3,500 officers have already been trained with the skills to carry out passport and customs checks since the creation of the UK Border Agency in April 2008.

On 5 August, 4,500 HM Revenue and Customs staff will formally become part of the UK Border Agency. 

Since April 2008, The UKBA has: 

• stopped over 30,000 individual attempts by illegal migrants to get into Britain through France and Belgium;
• stopped over 12,900 dangerous weapons, including firearms, stun guns and knives, reaching the street;
• seized over £379 million worth of illegal drugs; and
• seized in excess of 923 million cigarettes – representing a potential loss of £174 million in tax revenue

Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said: 

“This is part of the biggest transformation of our border controls in a generation. A unified force at the Border with the powers to carry out customs and immigration checks allows us to continue the crack down on illegal immigration and the smuggling of drugs and weapons.

“I am determined that Britain’s border remains one of the strongest in the world. This Act is an important part of ensuring it stays that way.” 

The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act also ensures that “migrants who want to become British citizens earn the right to stay by speaking English, paying taxes and obeying the law”, the UKBA said.

The UKBA added: 

“It will speed up the path to citizenship for those who contribute to the community by being active citizens. Under the new system full access to benefits and social housing will be reserved for citizens and permanent residents – a route that can take up to ten years.” 

Many migrants would argue that they are happy with the current “speed” oor length of time it takes to gain Citizenship – 5 years - rather than 8 years under the new Act.

Mr Woolas added: 

“This new Act ensures that those who want to stay earn the right to do so, learn to speak English and play by the rules. Those that don’t will not be allowed to become citizens, making our system both firmer and fairer.

“I want to go further and within the next few weeks we will publish a consultation to examine how the current points based system for economic migrants, which has proved to be an effective and powerful tool for controlling migration, could be applied to citizenship.” 

In the next few weeks the Home Office will publish proposals to extend the points based system to citizenship. 

The aim is to build on the reforms to citizenship in the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act, providing even “greater controls over the number of people who want to settle permanently in the United Kingdom”. 

The Government said the Act will allow for a more “flexible approach” with the ability to “raise and lower” the threshold depending on the needs of the United Kingdom.

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

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

MPs on the committee claim that tens of thousands of foreign nationals “may” have been brought into the UK illegally by fake colleges.

In a highly critical report, they said the word “college” should be restricted to institutions accredited by the state, although it fails to explain how this would help the situation or what current colleges would end up being known as.

The Government have recently introduced the points-based system and new regulations to control educational providers to ensure that only genuine foreign students can now obtain a student visa.

Under Tier 4 rules, which took effect at the end of March this year, study visas will only be issued to students enrolled at educational providers on the more tightly controlled UK Border Agency (UKBA) Sponsors Register.

Despite the fact that the new system has only just started, the committee, chaired by Keith Vaz MP, were still not satisfied and said they were “extremely disappointed” that the Government had ignored repeated warnings from the education sector about the problem of bogus colleges.

Since March this year, colleges recruiting students from outside the EU must have first been registered and inspected by an accreditation body on behalf of the UKBA. In addition, the UKBA will have sent one of their officers to inspect the college before granting the licence or within six months of approval.

The committee found that around 2,200 colleges were not transferred to this new list, and have concluded that a “significant proportion” of these were bogus.

However, their findings, heavily influenced the state sector, has ignored that fact that hundreds of colleges are awaiting accreditation or UKBA approval.

Cynthia Barker, Centre Manager of Majestic College, which had a pre-approval UKBA inspection, said the licensing process took nine months,

“We had three inspections by ASIC and the UKBA over a nine month period and had to push every inch of the way to obtain our sponsors licence.

“Some colleges have gone out of business waiting to be accredited or because they could not meet the strict new criteria, but this does not necessarily make them a ‘bogus’ college.”

The new Tier 4 register now contains around 1,500 colleges, all of which have gone through a rigorous application and inspected process by the UK Border Agency.

The committee welcomed this “more effective” regime, but said it was “deeply concerned” that the agency was giving colleges notice of its inspection visits.

It said ministers had been very slow to act when warned about the whole problem, and that this was “unacceptable”.

The report said:

“Firm enforcement action must be taken against any individual whose student visa has expired to ensure that they leave the country, as well as against those who have set up bogus colleges to perpetrate visa fraud.

“We have received no evidence that the Home Office has made adequate preparations to deal with this issue.”

And continued:

“While the new sponsorship system under the points-based immigration system should help to prevent bogus colleges, we consider that a more complete means of prevention requires the compulsory regulation of private further education colleges and English language schools by the state.”

Committee Chairman, Keith Vaz, said:

“Bogus colleges may have allowed tens of thousands of foreign nationals to enter the country illegally.

“The Government has been aware of their existence for 10 years and done nothing to stop them.

“This is totally unacceptable and frankly, quite unbelievable.”

He said immediate action was needed:

“The Government must restrict the term ‘college’, to prevent any premises above a fish and chip shop from being able to claim it is a reputed educational institution.”

The MPs said this would protect students from coming to sub-standard, unregulated places.

The committee did not find any substantial evidence of the alleged link between bogus colleges and terrorist activity.

Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said:

“No institution can bring students into the country unless we are satisfied they are genuine – this includes approval by an accredited body, and assessment of their premises, courses and teaching staff.

“Since April, the UK Border Agency has carried out nearly 100 unannounced checks on institutions throughout the UK and they are doing more every week.”

“Before we tightened controls around 4,000 UK institutions offered courses to foreign students, but under the new system only around 1,600 can currently bring students into the country from outside Europe.

“We have already rejected over 500 establishments’ applications.”

Even allowing for those colleges currently in the pipeline, these figures would indicate that the new system is weeding out bogus colleges previous on the old DIUS register.

The report follows a BBC London television investigation earlier this year into a small number of bogus colleges, one in particular using the name of ‘Cambridge’, which was offering diplomas without study.

 There are a number of legitimate colleges using the name ‘Oxford’ or ‘Cambridge’ which are clearly not connected with the real Universities, however, this does not mean they are bogus or offer fake qualifications.

Immigration Matters Comment

The committee’s report appears to be based mostly on pure supposition and on “expert testimony” from partisan witnesses. It has produced little or no hard evidence to back its vague claims.

Even if the reports figures of illegal immigration were correct, they would be the result of the previous regulatory system which the Government has spent the last five years and millions of pounds overhauling.

For Mr Vaz, an MP - no stranger to immigration controversy in the Hinduja Brothers case some years ago, leading to his exile to the back benches - to say that the Government has “done nothing” undermines his own Labour controlled Government’s work in bringing about the biggest shake up in immigration history: points based system, UK Borders Act, Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Act and a raft of other immigration rule changes. One wonders what planet Mr Vaz has been living on for the last few years.

Even with laws and regulations, there will always be a rogue element in any walk of life, whether it be cowboy builders or Members of Parliament fiddling their expenses and claiming for non-existent mortgages.

We all deplore the crooks who run bogus colleges and those who disappear with students money without providing any training. But let’s not tar every small college with the same brush, or ”conclude” that because they are not yet on the sponsors register they must be bogus.

The UK Border Agency has introduced a tough new regulatory system for student visas, including abolishing the right of appeal, less than four months ago. We should at least give the system a chance to prove itself before shooting it down in flames.

Overseas students are worth £8 billion to the UK’s cash-strapped economy, according to Home Office figures.

If you need any immigration advice or help with Settlement, Citizenship, Sponsorship, extending Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

Related articles:

7 Steps for overseas students when your college fails

Make sure your college is on the Tier 4 Sponsors Register before renewing your visa

This means the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration ‘Bill’ has now officially become an Act of Parliament and is now enshrined in UK Law.

Although the Bill has become Law, many of the Rules will not be implemented immediately. See also: Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill could become Law next week

What is the Royal Assent?

Parliament.uk describes the process as follows:

When a Bill has completed all its parliamentary stages, it needs Royal Assent from the Queen before it can become law. Bills that receive Royal Assent become Acts of Parliament.

Does the Queen give Royal Assent in person?

Although the Queen can give Royal Assent in person, this has not happened since 1854. The Queen’s agreement to give her Assent to a Bill is automatic. The last time Royal Assent was refused was in 1707-08 when Queen Anne refused her Assent to a Bill for settling the militia in Scotland.

How is Royal Assent announced?

When Royal Assent has been given to a Bill, the Speaker in the Commons and the Lord Speaker in the Lords announce the Royal Assent at a suitable break in each House’s proceedings.

The exception to this procedure is at prorogation, when Black Rod interrupts the proceedings of the Commons and summons MPs to the Lords Chamber to hear the Lords Commissioners announce Royal Assent for each Bill. Source www.parliament.UK

What should you do if you are in the UK on a Work Permit?

Evelie Padadac of Immigration Advisers Bison UK advises migrant workers to “apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain as soon as you are eligible and make sure your current permit takes you beyond five years of continuous work”.

What should you do if you are in the UK under other categories such as ILR?

Apply for Citizenship as soon as you are eligible, unless of course you have no desire to be a British Citizen.

If you do not agree with the above changes, you should write to your MP and ask him or her to write to Phil Woolas to request a longer transitional period.

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

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

For more information on the Act see: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/legislation/bci-act/

The UK Government’s plan lengthen the period immigrants must live in the U.K. before applying for citizenship may become law next week after backing down on stricter passport checks between Britain and Ireland yesterday.

The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill cleared its final stage in the House of Commons this week with the support of both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat opposition parties. The Government had earlier climbed down plans to impose identity checks on journeys between the U.K. and Ireland.

The House of Lords could grant final approval to the legislation on July 21, allowing the measures to go on the statutes, and receive the Royal Assent, as the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Act 2009, before Parliament enters its summer recess, a spokesman for the Home Office said this week.

The rules are part of the biggest curbs on migration in six decades and will make it harder for working migrants to settle in the UK. See: Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill will make it harder to settle in the UK

The new citizenship rules will take effect no earlier than July 2011. Migrants who hold permanent residency at that time, or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), will be able to apply under the old rules for the next two years. Full story and comment.

Other stories this week in Immigration Matters

Immigration Adviser, Evelie Padadac’s advice on ‘What should you do if you are in the UK on a Work Permit?’ and What should you do if you are in the UK under other categories such as ILR?

Barrio Fiesta 2009 Lampton Park Hounslow

Immigration Matters will be joining 50,000 people at the 2009 Barrio Fiesta 18 and 19 July Lampton Park, Hounslow, Middx, UK. Come and meet the team on the Bison UK and Majestic College stall.

Millions wasted on deportations by private jet

The UK Government spent more than £8.2 million last year on chartering private jets to deport immigrants, according to official figures. Over £70,000 was wasted on a one bungled attempt to fly failed asylum seeker Fatou Gaye to the Ivory Coast on a private jet only to have to fly her back again when she was refused entry.

Identity and Passport Service ‘open to bribes’ say people traffickers

The Times reports that people-traffickers view Britain as a “soft touch” when it comes to smuggling illegal immigrants, with high profits and low risks of capture, according to Home Office research published yesterday. Traffickers allege that officials in the Identity and Passport Service are open to bribes to help illegal immigrants enter the country.

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