Immigration news

Florida congressman, David Jolly, has announced that he will be filing a bill that would allow those on E-2 Treaty Investor non-immigrant visas to gain lawful permanent residence after ten years. Speaking to an audience at a crowded Italian restaurant on 66th Street Park in Pinellas Park, he said: "Every day the immigration reform debate hits the headlines, but only focuses on those here in the US illegally, what about those who are legally obliged to be here?"

Scotland's Education Minister Dr Alasdair Allan has told Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) that the UK's 'negative and irresponsible' attitude towards immigration is affecting the country's global reputation by forcing top overseas students to return home immediately after their studies.

Dr Allan, said: "This country must attract the brightest and best in order to meet Scotland's future needs. The culture of sending top, Tier 4 Visa holders home once their studies are complete must be stopped."

An interpreter from Afghanistan has been denied asylum by UK immigration despite saving the lives of British soldiers'. His work for British Forces attracted the attention of the Taliban which resulted in death threats.

Aslam Yousaf Zai began working with the British Army in 2009, serving as an interpreter, before his position became untenable for him. Serving on the frontline, Zai began to stand out and become a particular target for the Taliban.

Senior Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs announced that they would bring back the previous Tier 1 Post- Study Work Visa (PSW) for overseas students if they're elected in the 7 May General Election.

The announcements were made during a Higher Education debate earlier this month [March], jointly hosted by Times Higher Education, Universities UK, the Higher Education Policy Institute and the Open University.

Shadow Education Minister, Liam Byrne, and Liberal Democrat MP, Julian Huppert, reiterated the commitment of their respective parties to removing students from net migration statistics.

Buckinghamshire New University's Tier 4 sponsorship licence has been suspended, preventing them from accepting new admissions of overseas students from outside the EU; Students sponsored by the University exceeded the visa refusal rate permitted by UK Immigration. In addition the Tier 2 sponsorship licence to enable the University to employ professional level workers from outside the EU was also suspended.

Speaking at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on March 17, Chairman Chuck Grassley said that a bill, sponsored by Senator Orrin Hatch to increase the number of H-1B visas - "does not close the program's loopholes or stop abuse. It does not ensure that American workers are put ahead of foreign workers. It only serves to increase cheap foreign labour."

Speaking at the same hearing, Senator Orrin Hatch, representing Utah, said he would raise the H-1B visa cap from 65,000 to a shifting cap of 115,000 – 300,000.