Immigration news

Australian immigration minister Chris Bowen has said that the first group of refugees who have travelled to Australia hoping to seek asylum will be sent to the re-opened refugee camp on Nauru this week. Mr Bowen said on 10th September 2012 that he had signed the authorisation document and would present it to parliament shortly. Mr Bowen addressed a press conference in Canberra at which he told the assembled journalists that any asylum seekers who had arrived since 13th August 2012, the day on which the new law permitting the offshore housing of refugees was passed, could now be sent to Nauru.

A senior London lawyer has stated that the decision by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to revoke a university's licence to teach foreign students could be suspended by the High Court for 'many months' pending a full court decision on the matter.

An insider at the UK Border Force has told The Daily Star newspaper that long delays are likely at Heathrow Airport from the beginning of October 2012. During the Olympics and Paralympics, extra staff were drafted in from the Ministry of Defence to help man the passport control desks but these workers will return to their regular duties at the end of September 2012, leaving a shortage of staff.

The United Kingdom Border Agency has announced changes to the rules regarding those who wish to apply for renewed leave to stay in the country when their leave to do so has expired. As from October 1st 2012, applications for further leave will be refused if the application is made 28 days or more after the previous leave has expired. This rule already applies to those who apply under the family migration route. From 1st October 2012, it will apply to all other applicants. These areApplicants under:• The points-based system• All working and student routes• Visiting routes• Long residency routes

Two prominent university vice-chancellors; Sir Steve Smith of Exeter University and Edward Acton of the University of East Anglia, have warned the government that its efforts to reduce immigration are bound to have a negative impact on the higher education sector. Sir Steve said that this would be disastrous because it could be 'at the start of what could become a significant international higher education boom. Sir Steve said that the UK's higher education sector was one of Britain's most successful industries, adding 'if we were making cars or widgets, the government would be right behind us.'

Business NZ, a leading pro-business lobby group in New Zealand, says that there are many vacancies in the New Zealand economy that need filling. It has called on the government to do more to attract migrants to fill those posts.