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Theresa May’s International Student Deportation Plans Quashed

 Source: Geograph.org.uk

Just before Christmas 2014, the Home Secretary Theresa May announced plans to deport all international students after they graduate from their university courses. The idea initially presented for the next Conservative manifesto, was to deport all post-graduate students immediately after receiving their degrees. There followed a backlash across the political divide and even from academics and business leaders such as James Dyson for Theresa May’s plans to deport international students after graduation. 

Immigration & International Student Deportation Plans

The plan was initially proposed ahead of the 2010 election and appeared in the Conservative manifesto; it was never enacted and Theresa May felt it was a good time to promote the policy once more in view of two the by-election wins of anti-EU and anti-immigration party UKIP.

Source: Guardian.co.uk

In a bid to tackle growing concern about immigration and particularly as a reaction against growing support for UKIP, the Home Secretary announced a crackdown on non-EU immigrants that included students. The plans would have affected people with highly sought skills coming into the UK for education – those often coming from top education establishments abroad and with the skills necessary to plug the skills gap in a growing economy. May cited a projected figure of 600,000 international students by 2020 – a figure she claimed is “unsustainable”. 

Theresa May Revives the Plan – Now Shelved

Theresa May’s international student deportation plans were scheduled to appear in the Conservative 2015 election manifesto as they seek a majority government, but it is now understood that these plans have been shelved, and permanently so. It seems that Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne blocked the move – citing Tory policy that international students may stay if they can find suitable graduate roles, earning a £24k salary or higher. With skills shortages in several key areas, plans to make international students reapply for entry on a different visa proved difficult as well as controversial –described by the Lib Dems as “a silly idea” that would lead to losing many highly skilled and highly qualified migrant workers to other countries inside and outside the EU. Had they been enforced, the UK would have missed out on emerging talent in the sciences and engineering.

It is said that the international student deportation plans may affect any future leadership bid when Prime Minister David Cameron looks to step down (though there are no immediate plans to do so). May wants to be seen as the natural successor amongst the Tory right wing and the events of the last few weeks has possibly seen this weakened by her unpopular plans; George Osborne’s handling of the situation may in turn improve his own standing within the party.

 

Sources: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/07/theresa-may-plans-send-overseas-students-home-blocked

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/11329609/George-Osborne-sees-off-Theresa-Mays-controversial-plan-to-deport-foreign-graduates.html