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Minister reveals scale of student visa fraud | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
An estimated 48,000 immigrants may have fraudulently obtained English language certificates despite being unable to speak English, the government has said. | |
Immigration Minister James Brokenshire told the Commons that an inquiry into abuse of the student visa system had found evidence of criminal activity, which would now be investigated fully. | |
The probe followed a BBC Panorama investigation earlier this year. | |
Of the 48,000 certificates, 29,000 were invalid and 19,000 were "questionable". | |
Mr Brokenshire continued: "It is likely that the true totals will be higher." | |
'Astounding' | |
"The government is not prepared to tolerate this abuse," he said. | |
"Since the start of February immigration enforcement officers, with the support of the National Crime Agency, together with officials from UK Visas and Immigration, have been conducting a detailed and wide-ranging investigation into actions by organised criminals to falsify English language tests for student visa applicants. | |
"They've also investigated a number of colleges and universities for their failure to ensure that their students meet the criteria set out in immigration rules." | |
The perpetrators would now face criminal investigations, Mr Brokenshire said. | |
Those found to be remaining in the country illegally would be removed, he added. | |
But Labour's shadow Home Office minister David Hanson said it was an "astounding" admission of "systematic abuse on this government's watch". | |
Each year, around 100,000 non-EU students get their visas to stay in the UK extended. | Each year, around 100,000 non-EU students get their visas to stay in the UK extended. |
The Panorama programme broadcast in February sent non-EU students - who were already in the UK legally - undercover. | The Panorama programme broadcast in February sent non-EU students - who were already in the UK legally - undercover. |
They posed as bogus students with poor English, who wanted to remain in the UK to work illegally. | They posed as bogus students with poor English, who wanted to remain in the UK to work illegally. |