More British MPs back skilled Indian professionals in visa row

THE CONTROVERSY WAS A RESULT OF THE SOCALLED POLICY OF ‘HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT’ INTRODUCED BY THE HOME OFFICE TO REDUCE IMMIGRATION INTO BRITAIN.

: Several MPs and members of the House of Lords on Tuesday joined a demonstration outside the British Parliament and extended support to Indian and other non-EU professionals hit by the Home Office using a rule meant for terrorists and criminals to deny them permanent stay in the country.

This was the fourth such demonstration since January.

Nearly 1,000 highly skilled professionals have been affected after immigration officials used paragraph 322 (5) of the Immigration Act to refuse them indefinite leave to remain in the country after at least four years of stay in the UK, paying taxes and contributing to the economy.

Home secretary Sajid Javid has promised a review of their applications and a stay on using the dreaded rule that was invoked when applications showed the professionals had rectified their tax returns, which was construed as indication of dishonest conduct.

Refusal entails no permission to work and other consequences, including deportation.

Lawmakers who promised support inside and outside Parliament included Stephen Doughty (Labour), Alison Thewliss (Scottish National Party), Stephen McCabe (Labour), Ruth Cadbury (Labour), Afzal Khan (Labour) and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour).

Aditi Bhardwaj, co-organiser of the protest, said there had been no update from the Home Office after Javid’s announcement of the review in a letter to the Home Affairs Committee of Parliament last week. She added that many lives had been turned upside down due to the use of the rule.