WENDY Alexander, the former Labour leader at Holyrood, has claimed that UK Government officials are being encouraged to reject asylum seeker applications as a way of bringing down immigration levels.
Alexander, who quit politics for the academic world and is now a vice-principal of Dundee University, added that the Government did not have grounds for the move under international law.
Her comments were contained in board papers for the institution’s governing court.
In her role as Vice Principal (International) she provided colleagues with an “update” on the wider policy developments around immigration and visa policy towards international students who have been “adversely caught up in the post-Brexit crossfire".
According to the former MSP and minister, the Government had made “slow progress” in cutting net migration from over 300,00 a year to below 100,000.
She argued that the Government was now focussed on the “easiest way” of achieving that commitment, namely “restricting the number of visas granted to international students”.
Attracting students from overseas is a key part of the higher education business model and universities have complained about Government moves to restrict the flow of students.
However, Alexander also wrote: “In the interim officials are being encouraged to turn down as many applications for asylum as they can. However, Government does not have grounds under international law to refuse those legitimately claiming asylum as they flee from war zones and international conflicts.”
She added: “Hence the renewed focus on reducing overseas students. Despite the evidence suggesting that it is bad for the economy. Moreover, international students are not the public’s immigration concern.”
Alexander also criticised the effect of UK Government immigration policies on the higher education sector: “Unfortunately, the policy climate will reinforce unhelpful perceptions that Britain is hostile to migration and international students in particular. Since immigration is a wholly reserved matter, a supportive Scottish Government, can have little impact on the UK policy environment.”
A spokesperson for the university said: “As has been widely reported, there is acute concern in the higher education sector regarding Brexit and the forthcoming immigration consultation. Ms Alexander, as Vice-Principal (International), has policy responsibility for these areas and regularly relays to court and the university Executive Group general intelligence and trends that are being observed across the sector.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “It is wholly false to say that caseworkers are being encouraged to turn down applications for asylum. The United Kingdom has a long and proud history of offering sanctuary to those who genuinely need our protection.
"All applications are considered on their individual merits, and where people establish a genuine need for protection, or a well founded fear of persecution, refuge will be granted.
"Asylum caseworkers receive training on our obligations under international law and we have a rigorous three stage quality process to monitor asylum decisions.”
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