UK starts probe into deportation of Indian students after test fraud
Tuesday, 07/06/2016
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
LONDON: Britain’s influential Home Affairs Select Committee said on Monday it had opened a “full inquiry” into the deportation of thousands of people – mostly Indians – on the basis of alleged fraud in a mandatory English language test.
The panel said the inquiry was launched after deciding to “seriously question” the Home Office’s judgement in the matter.
In a damning ruling in March, the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) allowed an appeal by two students accused of cheating in the Test of English for International Communication conducted by a subsidiary of US-based company ETS.
The committee said in a new report it had undertaken a full inquiry, including on the issues of procurement and licensing, investigations, inspections and how much money was spent.
Keith Vaz, chairman of the committee, said: “We are deeply concerned with the arrests, dawn raids and aggressive deportations of students from outside the EU which have occurred following allegations of fraud at English language testing centres.
“The Home Office appears not to have investigated English language testing fraud allegations themselves before undertaking heavy-handed action. Recent legal cases... have opened the door to a mass of expensive and damaging litigation.”
Vaz added, “An estimated 70% of those affected are of Indian nationality, and this debacle comes at a time when Indian student numbers in the UK are declining. The UK risks causing extensive damage to its reputation as a leading destination for international study.”
As a starting point, the committee said the Home Office must set out the process for out-of-country appeals (many people were given no right of appeal before they were deported), the steps to be taken to ensure a fair hearing.
