TUC backs amnesty call for stranded London Metropolitan University students

12 September 2012

Delegates at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) conference in Brighton this morning overwhelmingly backed calls for overseas students at London Metropolitan University (LMU) to be given an amnesty and allowed to continue their studies.

The emergency motion from UCU also called for overseas students to be removed from immigration statistics.
 
LMU had its licence to teach non-EU students revoked last month by the UK Border Agency. That decision has left over 2,500 overseas students facing deportation if they cannot find a new course at another university.
 
At the TUC conference yesterday the shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, told delegates about the important role international students play both for the economy and society, and said what the government was doing to overseasstudents at LMU was disgraceful.
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'It is really encouraging that the trade union movement has so emphatically added its support to the growing call for an amnesty for students facing deportation at London Met.
 
'The government was wrong to count overseas students as permanent migrants in immigration statistics and it is becomingincreasingly isolated as politicians, students, universities and unions oppose the decision.
 
'There is already huge damage being done to our international reputation and forcing thousands of fee-paying students out of the country will only exacerbate the problem.'

The full emergency motion to be debated at TUC Congress:

Congress notes:

The decision by UK Border Agency to revoke the Tier 4 licence of London Metropolitan University.

The potential deportation of around of 2,500 international students.

The leaking of this story to the Sunday Times during a bank holiday weekend before staff, students or even university management were informed.

Congress believes:

Granting an amnesty will allow London Met non-EU international students to complete their current courses at London Met.

We should welcome international students not only for their great contribution to our economy but also because society benefits from the diversity and multiculturalism that they bring.

Congress resolves to:

Call upon the TUC to support an immediate amnesty for all London Met non-EU international students in order to complete their studies.

Support the call made by UCU, UNISON, NUS, UUK, Public Accounts Committee and Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, that international students are removed from immigration statistics as permanent migrants.

Call upon affiliated unions to encourage members to sign the Number 10 e-petition.

• Dan Ashley
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