Students Not Suspects: In Opposition to the UK Immigration Policy

Proposed by: Michael Lok 200800093

Seconded by: Waqas Adenwala 200901750

Union notes:
1. That the coalition government has stated that current levels of international
students in the UK are unsustainable, and is actively seeking out means, such as a cap on
immigration, to reduce their numbers1;
2. That these developments further restrict the capacity of international students to study, live,
and work in the UK, compounding the effects of PBIS; they make international students
increasingly vulnerable to prejudice and discrimination; and they divide the student body at a
time when higher education is under unprecedented fiscal and ideological attack;
3. That international students are considered vital to the continued development of UK’s
education system, as well as its economy;2
4. That the LSE housed 68853 overseas students out of a total of 102984 undergraduates and
postgraduates in the academic year of 2009-2010 alone, representing an overwhelming total
of 67%5;
5. That an average LSE undergraduate needs approximately £20,0006 in their bank account to
successfully gain a visa.

Union believes:
1. That media reporting on immigration is increasingly singling out international students and
scapegoating them by implying that their presence in the UK is illegal and/or a social and
financial burden;
2. That academics and teachers across the country are being told to monitor and report on their
students’ activity;
3. That the new points-based system for immigration and other means targeted at international
students are Racist and Classist;

Union resolves:
1. To pledge support for the NUS-led national campaign in opposing the immigration cap on
international student visas and other restrictions;
2. To encourage solidarity between home students and non-EU students against
the further marketisation and securitisation of higher education in the
UK by identifying shared issues and proposing joint solutions, for example though a publicity
campaign;
3. To liaise and work closely with the school’s International Student Immigration Service
(ISIS), a sub-body of the Student Services Centre;

1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11191341
2
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/sep/16/overseas-students-vital-education-not-drain
3
http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/statisticsOnLSE/statisticsOfStudents/Table%20I.pdf
4
http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/statisticsOnLSE/statisticsOfStudents/Table%20A.pdf
5
http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/statisticsOnLSE/statisticsOfStudents/
6
Figure based on 2010/2011 LSE Fees for Oversees Undergrad Students and Inner London maintenance level for nine
months of study
4. To gain specific information about the School’s policy on matriculation and the School’s
standing on what should happen if policy becomes more stringent.