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Five removed from the UK after South Wales immigration raids |
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25 June 2012
Five immigration offenders have been removed from the UK after they were caught by our officers in raids on South Wales businesses.
On 17 May, an operation targeting illegal working was carried out at Chun Ho, Fforchaman Road, Cwmaman, Aberdare, and a man and a woman from China were arrested.
The 38-year-old man had stayed in the UK illegally after his asylum claim was rejected, while the 21-year-old woman had over-stayed her visa.
They were taken to immigration detention before the woman was removed from the UK on 25 May and the man on 8 June.
Also on 17 May, Jen Chang, Lower High Street, Merthyr, was raided and a Malaysian woman was arrested.
Checks revealed that the 36-year-old, who was working in the takeaway's kitchen, had over-stayed her visa.
She was detained and removed to her home country on 25 May.
Two immigration offenders caught in a raid on Lilo Grill House and Juice Bar, City Road, Cardiff, on 11 May have also been removed from the UK.
A 19-year-old failed asylum seeker who attempted to flee across a flat roof when officers entered the business was removed to his home country of Afghanistan on 11 June.
A 20-year-old, who was also found to be a failed asylum seeker, was also removed to Afghanistan on 6 June.
Richard Johnson, UK Border Agency said:
'Our message to people who are in the UK illegally is that they must leave. As these cases make clear, if they refuse to do so we will enforce their removal.
'We are determined to crack down on offenders and are sending a simple, clear message to people who are here illegally - more raids are planned and you will be caught.'
Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or complete the Report immigration crime form. |
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Family migration changes announced |
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12 June 2012
Today (11 June 2012) the Government has announced changes to the Immigration Rules for non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK on the family migration route. The new Immigration Rules will also unify consideration under the rules and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, by defining the basis on which a person can enter or remain in the UK on the basis of their family or private life.
Most of these changes will apply to new applicants from 9 July 2012.
The changes are part of the Government's programme of reform of the immigration routes and follow wide consultation and expert advice from the Migration Advisory Committee. The changes include:
- introducing a new minimum income threshold of £18,600 for sponsoring the settlement in the UK of a spouse or partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, of non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationality, with a higher threshold for any children also sponsored; £22,400 for one child and an additional £2,400 for each further child;
- publishing, in casework guidance, a list of factors associated with genuine and non-genuine relationships, to help UK Border Agency caseworkers to focus on these issues;
- extending the minimum probationary period for settlement for non-EEA spouses and partners from two years to five years, to test the genuineness of the relationship;
- abolishing immediate settlement for migrant spouses and partners where a couple have been living together overseas for at least four years;
- from October 2013, requiring all applicants for settlement to pass the Life in the UK Test and present an English language speaking and listening qualification at B1 level or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages unless they are exempt;
- allowing adult and elderly dependants to settle in the UK only where they can demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, they require a level of long-term personal care that can only be provided by a relative in the UK, and requiring them to apply from overseas rather than switch in the UK from another category, for example as a visitor; and
- restricting family visit visa appeals, initially by narrowing the current definitions of family and sponsor for appeal purposes, and then, subject to the passage of the Crime and Courts Bill, which was published on 11 May 2012, removing the full right of appeal against refusal of a family visit visa.
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New family visit visa appeal regulations |
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18 June 2012
The government laid the Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) Regulations 2012 in Parliament on 18 June 2012, which set out who qualifies for a full right of appeal against refusal of a visa to visit family in the UK.
These regulations will come into effect from 9 July 2012. No changes are being made to the rules governing who can qualify for entry to the UK as a visitor and genuine visitors are welcome.
These regulations will change the appeal rights of family visit visa applicants, with those applying to visit their uncle, aunt, nephew niece or first cousin, or a relative who does not have settled, refugee or humanitarian protection status in the UK. They will no longer have a full right of appeal if refused. A limited right of appeal will remain for these people on human rights and race discrimination grounds.
As previously announced on 11 May 2012, the Crime and Courts Bill will, subject to Parliamentary approval, remove the full right of appeal against all family visit visa refusals. It is expected to come into force by 2014. |
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Nineteen visa applicants arrested in Bangladesh |
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Nineteen London-bound visa applicants have been arrested in Bangladesh following a joint operation involving the UK Border Agency and Bangladeshi police.
The group were arrested on suspicion of fraud at the UK Border Agency in Dhaka.
The applicants were suspected of providing forged documentation and false bank statements with their business visitor visa applications to attend the Boishaki Mela in East London as stall holders.
The Bangladeshi police worked in close cooperation with UK BA officers in Dhaka, discovering that the applicants had misrepresented their employment status and produced forged bank statements.
The group admitted that they had paid agents up to £10,000 each to facilitate their visa applications and provide forged documents.
Philippa Rouse, director of visa services, UK Border Agency said:
'The UK Border Agency is working hard with our international law enforcement partners to target the organised criminal gangs who attempt to abuse our immigration system.
'As this case shows, that work often starts thousands of miles away.
'We want to welcome genuine visitors to the Britain, whether it be for business or tourism. But we will not tolerate fraud, and those caught trying to con the system face long bans from the UK.'
The UK BA has a a integrated fraud assessment unit in Bangladesh, which successfully uncovers and investigates high volumes of fraud and forgery in UK visa applications.
In cases such as this, the unit works closely with the police, other Embassies and High Commissions to ensure the integrity of documentation, and to identify and take action against fraud.
Nick Low, British Deputy High Commissioner in Bangladesh said:
'I strongly advise anyone wanting to obtain a visa to visit the UK not to listen to agents who offer to sell forged documents and say they can guarantee a visa.
'They are criminals who have absolutely no influence over the decision or how quickly it is made.'
In cases of fraud, the UK BA will refuse the UK visa application and ban the applicant from travelling to the UK for up to 10 years.
They may also refer the applicant and any agent involved to the police for further investigation and possible charges.
Anyone who has information about immigration crime should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be assured. |
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