Protest outside Home Office over deportation of London Met students

The decision has left over 2,500 foreign students facing deportation if they cannot find a new course at a new university. UCU is calling for an amnesty for the students currently facing deportation so they can finish their studies.
 
The union said UKBA's decision to revoke the university's licence to teach foreign students was a disproportionate reaction to a situation that should have been addressed without the recourse to such drastic action. UCU added that the decision will punish thousands of students and do real damage to the UK.
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'The UK is one of the most popular destinations for foreign students because of our proud international reputation for excellence and we need that to continue. A quick flick through the international press coverage from the last week shows the damage the UKBA's decision is already doing.
 
'While efforts are made to clear up the mess, and London Met fights the decision through the courts, the government needs to introduce an immediate amnesty for the London Met students facing deportation.'
 
NUS president, Liam Burns, said: 'Revoking London Met's licence weeks before the start of the term leaves thousands of international students in complete disarray and is a wholly unacceptable way to treat people.
 
'These thousands of legitimate students should clearly be allowed to continue their studies there. The government urgently need to redress its wholly irrational approach and stop using international students as a political football.'
 
* Map of the Home Office

An Early Day Motion (1805) has been tabled in Parliament and can be seen here