The UK government has launched a crackdown targeting international students and their family members. The issue has caused deep concern and panic among Bangladeshi students in the country.
Those who are staying in the UK after their visas have expired are being warned directly through text and email. These texts and email messages tell them to leave the country immediately. Otherwise, they will be forcibly deported.
This move by the UK government signals a major change in the countryโs immigration controls, according to a report by Munzer Ahmed Chowdhury of Bangla Tribune.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has already announced that the first group of โChannel migrantsโ will start being deported from this month (September). At the same time, the government has also suspended the new process of family reunification applications for refugees. Several Bangladeshis have already been sent back to the country on special flights.
Yunusโ Press Wing lies about meeting with UK premier Starmer
UK MPs alarmed over Bangladeshโs democratic decline, human rights crisis
The messages sent by the Home Office are for those international students who are staying in the UK after their visas have expired and are trying to seek political asylum.
Bangladesh has been a key target of the UK government due to the worsening bilateral relationship after the fall of the Awami League government and the Yunus regimeโs policies to malign Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Impact on Bangladeshi students
The messages sent to students are very clear that there will be no concessions. These messages say if you try to seek political asylum that is unfounded, it will be strictly rejected.
Another message says: โAny request for political asylum will be strictly scrutinised. If you do not meet the criteria, you will not receive any assistance.
โIf you do not have any legal right to be in the UK, you must leave this country. If you do not go, we will remove you.โ
These messages have caused deep stress and anxiety among Bangladeshi students. Many students went to the UK after making huge financial and emotional sacrifices in pursuit of their dreams. Suddenly, such drastic measures are on the verge of shattering their dreams.
Parents who have sacrificed everything to send their children to the UK for a bright future are now putting their childrenโs future at risk. Students say their hard work and their contribution to the UK economy and society are not being valued.
In this regard, London-based barrister Salah Uddin Suman told Bangla Tribune on Tuesday: โThis uncertainty is having a serious impact on thousands of Bangladeshi students. Since the start of the tightening of immigration policies, student visa applications from Bangladesh to the UK have decreased. Many students who were dreaming of permanent residence by working through a graduate visa are now seeing their hopes fade. Due to this pressure, it has also become difficult to focus on their studies.โ
It is known that many students and their families who wish to study in the UK are now thinking of countries like Canada or Australia as alternatives.
In this critical situation, the anxiety of Bangladeshi students and their families has now reached an extreme level. Uncertainty about the future and the fear of returning to their country are causing them mental distress.
English