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Scale of student visa fraud condemned as 'truly shocking' | Scale of student visa fraud condemned as 'truly shocking' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An estimated 48,000 immigrants may have fraudulently obtained English language certificates despite being unable to speak English, the government has said. | 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. | 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. |
Of the 48,000 certificates, 29,000 were invalid and 19,000 were "questionable". | Of the 48,000 certificates, 29,000 were invalid and 19,000 were "questionable". |
Labour said the scale of the abuse was "truly shocking". | Labour said the scale of the abuse was "truly shocking". |
Mr Brokenshire continued: "It is likely that the true totals will be higher." | Mr Brokenshire continued: "It is likely that the true totals will be higher." |
'Serious concern' | 'Serious concern' |
"The government is not prepared to tolerate this abuse," he said. | "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. | "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." | "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 probe followed a BBC Panorama investigation earlier this year. | The probe followed a BBC Panorama investigation earlier this year. |
Officers uncovered evidence of "serious concern" at some campuses, and the government has downgraded Glyndwr University in north-east Wales from its status as a "highly-trusted sponsor" of student visas. | Officers uncovered evidence of "serious concern" at some campuses, and the government has downgraded Glyndwr University in north-east Wales from its status as a "highly-trusted sponsor" of student visas. |
In addition, 57 private further education colleges had also had their licences for admitting foreign students suspended, Mr Brokenshire said. | In addition, 57 private further education colleges had also had their licences for admitting foreign students suspended, Mr Brokenshire said. |
'Astounding' | 'Astounding' |
A further two universities - the University of Bedfordshire and University of West London - are no longer allowed to sponsor new students pending further investigations, which will decide whether they too should be suspended. | A further two universities - the University of Bedfordshire and University of West London - are no longer allowed to sponsor new students pending further investigations, which will decide whether they too should be suspended. |
Immigration enforcement officers had started work to identify migrants who were in the country illegally as a result of the falsified language tests so they could be removed, Mr Brokenshire said. | Immigration enforcement officers had started work to identify migrants who were in the country illegally as a result of the falsified language tests so they could be removed, Mr Brokenshire said. |
"The steps I have outlined today shows we will not hesitate to take firm action against those - students, colleges and universities - who do not abide by their legal responsibilities and resolutely pursue organised criminality to bring those responsible to justice," the minister concluded. | "The steps I have outlined today shows we will not hesitate to take firm action against those - students, colleges and universities - who do not abide by their legal responsibilities and resolutely pursue organised criminality to bring those responsible to justice," the minister concluded. |
But Labour's shadow Home Office minister David Hanson said his statement amounted to an "astounding" admission of "systematic abuse on this government's watch". | But Labour's shadow Home Office minister David Hanson said his statement amounted to an "astounding" admission of "systematic abuse on this government's watch". |
"They said, 'No more bogus colleges.' Instead, we now have a major abuse in bogus certificates being issued again," he told MPs. | "They said, 'No more bogus colleges.' Instead, we now have a major abuse in bogus certificates being issued again," he told MPs. |
A representative of Glyndwr University said: "The university is deeply upset that its sponsor licence has been suspended by UK Visas and Immigration and is working with them to investigate the issues raised. | |
"We have partnerships with a number of suppliers and are incredibly disappointed to have been the subject of any deception or activity that would put that licence under threat. | |
"To be put in this position by external partners is frustrating as Glyndwr University takes its responsibility as a highly trusted sponsor very seriously and is committed to supporting the continuing education of those genuine international students who demonstrate full compliance with their immigration requirements." | |
An investigations team would work to have the university's licence reinstated, they added. | |
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. |