Indian migrants concerned over new UK laws

Prasun Sonwalkar
London, Nov 17 (PTI) A leading group representing
professionals from India and other non-European Union
countries has said that Britain's efforts to tighten
immigration should not mean the retrospective application of
new laws.
The government last week unveiled a draft bill that
seeks to further tighten immigration rules, including the new
concept of migrants being granted 'permission' to enter or
stay in the UK.
Expressing concern, Amit Kapadia, executive director
of the Highly Skilled Migrants Forum, said introducing new
laws often resulted in targeting existing migrants who were
responsible tax payers and law-abiding residents.
Migrants have to satisfy the requirements of the
points-based system before they can enter, work and stay in
the UK.
"In view of the current economic climate, there could
be instances of migrants losing their jobs and we believe that
these circumstances must be taken into consideration when
deciding on whether or not they will be 'permitted' to
continuously live in this country," Kapadia said.
The new shortage occupation list, he said, would
significantly reduce the number of foreign employees, which
will affect many existing migrants' immigration status. (MORE)
PTI