Warwick student who fled the Taliban speaks out about Home Office crackdown on visas

A Warwick student who fled the Taliban has spoken out about the Home Office’s recent decision to crackdown on student visas, amid fears it is leading to some people abusing the system.

Four years ago, 21-year-old Sam Pordale fled the Taliban in Afghanistan, coming to the UK on a small boat. He spent six months in an asylum hotel before earning a scholarship to study at the University of Warwick.

Now that Sam is heading into his final year, the student told the Big Issue that the opportunity to come to Warwick changed his life.”It gave me hope…I was an asylum seeker, and when I got to university, it changed everything.

“I have hope for the future, and it wouldn’t have been possible if I were an asylum seeker who wasn’t able to start their education,” he said.

Recent government announcements regarding immigration policies have sparked condemnation from some of Warwick’s international student body and local refugee charities.

Earlier this month, the Home Office announced plans to halve the time refugees are given to leave asylum hotels after their case to stay in the UK has been approved. This marks a drastic cut in the “move-on” period, which has now been reduced to 28 days.

Despite Sam having claimed asylum before starting his studies at the University of Warwick, he remains deeply concerned about the impact the Home Office’s decisions could have.

He raised particular concerns about fellow students who feel their home countries are unsafe to return to upon the completion of their studies.

He said: “I think it puts them in more danger.”

Most Read

This AI Ghostface trend is all over TikTok, so here’s how to make your own Scream photo

‘You belong to us’: OnlyFans model dumped in Dubai with broken spine speaks out for first time

People think Justin Bieber’s post on Selena’s wedding day was shady, and he’s getting dragged

“It is going to damage us as students who pride ourselves on creating change. If we know our life is going to be in danger and there is no one to help us, I don’t think anyone would try to create a positive change,” the student added.

Sam says he’s felt “tensions” even at the University of Warwick, which he believes is the “best place for international students to study”.

Angel Nackhel came to the UK from Lebanon when she was 12 and went on to become a Warwick student.

She also voiced dismay about what she says is a “harsh” immigration crackdown, telling the Big Issue: “These policies not only discourage talented individuals from pursuing education in the UK, but also create unnecessary stress for those already facing challenges in their home counties, or wanting to escape what’s happening in their home countries.

“Everyone should have the right to seek asylum when they feel like they would be persecuted in their home countries.”

Home secretary Yvette Cooper claims there has been an “alarming” spike in the number of people claiming asylum after their student visas have expired.

With around 14,800 asylum claims in the year to June belonging to people with a student visa, the government believes some individuals are abusing the system and overstaying their visas.

However, a number of charities supporting refugees dismiss this claim, arguing the majority of cases are legitimate. Organisations have voiced fears that the government’s rhetoric risks “fuelling” right-wing violence against asylum seekers.

International students comprise 37.7 per cent of Warwick’s student body. Nationally, around one in six universities in Britain get more than a third of their total income from overseas students, according to a Channel 4 analysis.

Jon Featonby, a senior policy analyst at Refugee Council, said: “Britain has a proud tradition of offering sanctuary to those fleeing danger and the government should focus on ensuring the asylum system makes fair, timely decisions about who can stay in the UK and who must leave, rather than casting doubt unfairly on people trying to gain an education.”

The Home Office has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Featured image via LinkedIn