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| Migrants challenge rule changes | Migrants challenge rule changes |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The government's decision to change the rules for highly skilled immigrants is facing a challenge in the High Court. | The government's decision to change the rules for highly skilled immigrants is facing a challenge in the High Court. |
| It is claimed retrospective changes to the Highly Skilled Migration Programme (HSMP) in 2006 will mean thousands of non-EU migrants have to leave the UK. | It is claimed retrospective changes to the Highly Skilled Migration Programme (HSMP) in 2006 will mean thousands of non-EU migrants have to leave the UK. |
| The HSMP Forum, which is seeking the judicial review, says 90% - 44,000 people - who entered under the HSMP no longer qualified. | The HSMP Forum, which is seeking the judicial review, says 90% - 44,000 people - who entered under the HSMP no longer qualified. |
| They claim the decision was unfair and in breach of their human rights. | They claim the decision was unfair and in breach of their human rights. |
| 'Harsh' | 'Harsh' |
| Between 2002 and the end of 2006, when the government changed the rules, 49,000 doctors, engineers, accountants and other professionals entered the UK under the HSMP. | Between 2002 and the end of 2006, when the government changed the rules, 49,000 doctors, engineers, accountants and other professionals entered the UK under the HSMP. |
| They were assessed on qualifications, experience and earning ability. | They were assessed on qualifications, experience and earning ability. |
| But the change in the rules meant anyone applying to extend their work visa would have to score points based on their education, salary and age. | |
| It is ironic that a government which boasts itself as champions of human rights is actually playing with the lives of thousands of skilled immigrants and their families Chandrasekar ElangovanHSMP Forum | It is ironic that a government which boasts itself as champions of human rights is actually playing with the lives of thousands of skilled immigrants and their families Chandrasekar ElangovanHSMP Forum |
| The HSMP Forum says thousands have already left the UK after their visas expired, and more than a thousand others have had their applications to stay rejected. | The HSMP Forum says thousands have already left the UK after their visas expired, and more than a thousand others have had their applications to stay rejected. |
| It says the government went back on its promise to let them stay after four years work. | It says the government went back on its promise to let them stay after four years work. |
| Last year, MPs from the Joint Committee on Human Rights said the retrospective changes were harsh, unfair, and incompatible with the Human Rights Act. | Last year, MPs from the Joint Committee on Human Rights said the retrospective changes were harsh, unfair, and incompatible with the Human Rights Act. |
| The HSMP Forum said the retrospective changes had affected the lives of thousands of non-EU nationals, who left well paid jobs, perks and families to make the UK home. | The HSMP Forum said the retrospective changes had affected the lives of thousands of non-EU nationals, who left well paid jobs, perks and families to make the UK home. |
| Forum member Chandrasekar Elangovan said: "It is ironic that a government which boasts itself as champions of human rights around the globe is actually playing with the lives of thousands of skilled immigrants and their families." | Forum member Chandrasekar Elangovan said: "It is ironic that a government which boasts itself as champions of human rights around the globe is actually playing with the lives of thousands of skilled immigrants and their families." |
| The HSMP has since been converted into the new points-based system, launched last month. | The HSMP has since been converted into the new points-based system, launched last month. |