The UK Border Agency has responded to claims in the Times newspaper that thousands of foreign nationals have entered the United Kingdom as students at a network of sham colleges.
Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said:
'This alleged fraud took place under the old system, and highlights exactly why I have brought forward changes which crack down on abuse of the student route into the UK.'
'I take any allegations of fraud incredibly seriously. The information provided by the Times has been passed on to the UK Border Agency, which is investigating.'
'The UK Border Agency is systematically vetting colleges to clamp down on abuse of the rules. Before we tightened controls, around 4,000 UK institutions were bringing in international students; this currently stands at around 1,500. We will act swiftly where there is credible evidence of organised abuse of the immigration system by any college - registered as a sponsor or not.'
'We have introduced tougher checks on overseas students as well as on colleges. All students applying for a visa are now fingerprinted and checked against a range of security and immigration watch lists, with expert teams abroad providing additional checks and support at high-risk posts such as Pakistan.'
Comments
18/06/2009 at 12:40:18 AM
Mosays
I wish this clamp down doesnt affect future genuine students who wish to come to UK to study. The UK's educational system at the tetiary level is still one of the best in the world.
17/06/2009 at 4:18:22 PM
Kalibasays
The sad fact with issues like this is that it is the genuine and innocent college applicants that will bear the brunt of it. The UK immigration laws are shitty point blank. They need an overhaul and a better system of checking applications.
The UK Border Agency has responded to claims in the Times newspaper that thousands of foreign nationals have entered the United Kingdom as students at a network of sham colleges.
