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A new report issued by a leading UK university estimates that there are 863,000 people living illegally in the UK out of which 604,000 (70%) live in London.>
The report, Practical Measures for Reducing Irregular Migration was written by researchers at the London School of Economics. Its findings are accepted by the UK government. The report says that it believes that the main countries from which illegal residents have come are India, Nigeria, Pakistan, China and Bangladesh.
The UK government will not meet its target of reducing net immigration to below 100,000 annually, according to a respected think tank. A report issued by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggests that the government has made some progress towards its target but that any reductions in immigration 'are likely to be short-lived'.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has begun the introduction of an online manual that will inform and guide all its staff worldwide. It is hoped that this will lead to greater consistency in decision making on visa applications.
Jason Kenney, the Canadian immigration minister, has warned Sri Lankans considering paying a 'human smuggler' to get into Canada, that they will be wasting their money if they do.
Mr Kenney was speaking at a press conference in Colombo, on January 7th 2013 during an official visit to Sri Lanka. 'Canada has a generous and open legal immigration system' he said, 'but those who try to get into Canada through the back door using human smugglers will not succeed and are wasting their money trying.'
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has issued further advice for students at London Metropolitan University (LMU) who were affected by its decision to revoke the university's Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) status in August 2012.
On 4th January 2013, the UKBA issued a statement advising all international students at LMU that it will be writing to them shortly to tell them whether they will be able to continue their studies at LMU.
We would advise you that, as of 31st December 2012, people from the following countries: South AfricaLesothoSwazilandZimbabwe
will need to be tested for tuberculosis (TB) before they apply for a visa to visit the UK for a stay of more than six months in duration.