tagged w/ UK Border Agency
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Tougher entrance criteria, limits on work entitlements and the closure of the post study work route are some of the changes made to the student visa system in the UK, Home Secretary Theresa May has said.Tougher entrance criteria, limits on work entitlements and the closure of the post... more
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The Independents top report today looks into the profit and abuse within the transport of failed asylum seekers. The article lists out the issues like how escorts of failed asylum seekers have a 'financial incentive' to make removals and are accused of detaining asylum seekers with techniques which cause injuries and/or suffocating.
"A report by the Institute of Race Relations in 2005 documented 11 deaths during removals conducted by European countries since 1991. It noted that in each case the deportee suffocated while "control and restraint" methods were being used."-Independent
The article also quotes from Medical Justice, who say the private companies/escorts which carry out the removals avoid scrutiny "It's worrying that private companies are making profits from removals, with little semblance of public accountability", he said."-Independent
"British Airways, BMI and other leading airlines are among those paid to transport failed asylum-seekers;
A criminal record, even for assault, is not a barrier to someone becoming a private-security escort; "-Independent
The article points out the strategic director for UK Border Agency Dave Wood, denies the claims made about the mistreatment of asylum seekers. Read the full article in the link.The Independents top report today looks into the profit and abuse within the transport... more
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Last week it was shocking to read the filmmaker Kiana Firouz was told by the Home Office to conceal her homosexuality, after they refused her asylum.
http://current.com/entertainment/movies/92440281_iranian-lesbian-kiana-firouz-activist-filmmaker-faces-deportation.htm
Today a report by Stonewall called No Going Back, reports on the institutional discrimination within the asylum system and hopes to improve the system for LGBT asylum seekers.
The report highlights issues like the frequent deportation of legitimate LGBT asylum seekers by the UK border agency. While also showing evidence from Border Agency workers that there's no guidelines for helping LGBT applicants.
"‘We’re beaten every day, chopped up, mugged, persecuted, abused. As long as you’re recognised, you’re victimised. Every day in fear. Tomorrow you might die.’ Harrison, Jamaican asylum-seeker
‘Colleagues have said they don’t know what questions to ask; we feel rude prying and embarrassed about asking these questions.’ Sarah, UKBA case worker
Between 2005 – 2009, 98 per cent of cases involving people claiming asylum in the UK on the basis of their sexual orientation were refused by the Home Office. (UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group, 2010)."-Stonewall www.stonewall.org.uk/nogoingbackLast week it was shocking to read the filmmaker Kiana Firouz was told by the Home... more
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Tim Moynihan reports on allegations made by the Refugee and Migrant Justice group that state child asylum seekers in Dover were denied food and medicine by the UK Border Agency "before they complete "oppressive" interviews".
The article examples one case were a child injured in a bomb blast with recent stab wounds (along with another child with gun shot wounds) were detained and interviewed with no offer of medical aid for their injury's.
""Their welcome is an interview by the UK Border Agency that often puts welfare at risk and is used to gather information which is later used against them. Such interviews, carried out without any independent adult or legal representative present, and sometimes without the right interpreters, would be entirely unacceptable anywhere else in Britain. Children should not be treated in this way."
The UK Border Agency deny the claims, while RMJ say they've been raising concerns of child welfare with the agency for over 12 months.Tim Moynihan reports on allegations made by the Refugee and Migrant Justice group that... more
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French immigration minister Eric Besson has announced he will clear the makeshift tents in Calais known as the jungle. This report by Onyeka Igwe, reveals the true hell of the Calais ‘jungle’ and the incredible journeys migrants have made to get there. Besson claims clearing the ‘jungle’ is a humanitarian action, but this report tells a different tale and makes the case for Open Borders. Besson’s disgraceful initiative to preserve UK border controls is guaranteed to provide further hell for the aspirant young migrants whose only crime is wanting to make a better life for themselves. Besson is not offering migrants accommodation but is promising repatriation. Humanitarian? We don’t think so.
This report is produced by WORLDwrite.French immigration minister Eric Besson has announced he will clear the makeshift... more
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An illegal immigrant hitched a ride on a bus with TWENTY UK immigration staff in France, made it to Britain and ran off.
It's believed the man sneaked aboard in Calais and that he stowed himself between the fuel tank and chassis. When the coach - which had entered the UK through the Channel Tunnel - got past the checkpoints in Folkstone, the man ran emerged and ran off.
The driver gave chase but didn't catch him.
I for one welcome this new addition to Great Britain - seriously dude, what an awesome entrance! :DAn illegal immigrant hitched a ride on a bus with TWENTY UK immigration staff in... more
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While the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London was sponsoring Refugee Week in the UK, the management of this well known international university were hosting an immigration raid on campus. The hypocrisy was not lost on students who quickly occupied directorate offices in opposition to the arrest and detention of nine so called ‘illegal’ cleaning staff by border police. WORLDbytes reporters spoke to students at an impromptu rally and inside the occupied offices. As one migrant cleaner from Columbia, Alberto Durango says in the report: “We need to resist... This is happening in the City of London. This is happening all around London…But it’s up to us to fight back.” Student’s opposition and speedy action has already brought results. SOAS Principal Paul Webley was forced to make a request to the home secretary to grant all the cleaners leave to remain in the UK. So far, his demand has fallen on deaf ears, but SOAS chiefs may not be so quick to cooperate with the government’s anti-immigrant agenda in future.While the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London was sponsoring... more
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In the past two days two gay men who claimed their lives would be in danger if they were returned to their home countries have been forcibly repatriated.
Ugandan John Nyombi was deported on a flight in Entebbe on Friday evening. His supporters in the UK say he is now in hiding from police.
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission issued an action alert on Thursday because of the escalating violence against LGBT people in Uganda.
Mr Nyombi's solicitors believe that the deportation was "an illegal act of the UK Border Agency."
Babakhan Badalov, known as Babi, was deported from Heathrow yesterday afternoon on a British Midlands Airways (BMI) flight to Baku.
A renowned artist, he claimed his sexual orientation and his public opposition to the Azerbaijani government put his life in risk.
His supporters say his removal contradicts UK Border Agency rules as they changed the details of his forced removal at the last minute and did so on a Saturday.
They also claim a border agent said to Mr Badalov before he was deported: "You make us sick, you're going back where you belong."
Despite a campaign that successfully persuaded Azerbaijan Airlines not to transport Mr Badalov, BMI agreed to repatriate him.In the past two days two gay men who claimed their lives would be in danger if they... more
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