HSMP forum unhappy with govt stand, looks to judicial review

LONDON: Dismayed at the British government's refusal to reverse its rule changes affecting Highly-Skilled Migrants Programme visa holders, mostly from India, a group representing them on Wednesday hoped that they would get justice at the judicial review of their case this week.

The UK Home Office on Tuesday rejected the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Human Rights to reverse the changes, saying these are are required to ensure that the immigration system continues to meet Britain's needs.

Reacting to the decision, the HSMP Forum, whose case is coming up in the Royal Courts of Justice here on November 30, said they hoped to get justice at the judicial review.

Amit Kapadia, Executive Director of the Forum said, "The UK Home Office's response to the Joint Committee's report highlights the dictatorial approach of the Home Office to ensure removal of Non-European Union immigrants from the UK, majority of whom came from India and other Asian countries."

He said, "The Commission for Racial Equality has already criticised the Home Office that the changes are discriminatory and are intended to remove ethnic minorities from the UK."

"The Joint Committee strongly recommended that the changes should be reversed but still the Government disrespects and undermines the recommendations. Many HSMP holders question the objective of having a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament if the Government disregards its recommendations."