Comment by Fizza Qureshi, CEO of the Migrants’ Rights Network

In spite of increased migration numbers, we still have a labour shortage in the U.K. The media, politicians and anti-migrant individuals are creating an atmosphere of hysteria. They manufacturing an issue and contributing to the harmful, false idea that we are being ‘invaded’.

Sadly, the Government is responding to this by doubling down on international students despite the U.K.’s heavy reliance on their fees and skills. They are targeting international students because there are so few campaigners and advocates on their side. The higher education system will challenge this Government stance because they see international students in monetary terms but universities have a poor track record of adhering to their duty of care once the fees have been paid. The higher education system will collapse if international students are not allowed to come and study here. We fear the policy will be yet another detrimental move on migration numbers. Students will be barred entry at the borders, interrogated, disbelieved and distrusted, and unsupported by universities. We need to stop criminalising international students.

Check out our previous work on international students, migration and the higher education system.