Immigration newsletter 12 Apr 2006

This week, the ongoing battle in the US Senate over immigration continued to top the news. On Friday April 7, the US Senate failed to reach an agreement on a compromise that would allow the millions of illegal immigrants currently in the US to apply for US citizenship. Demonstrators poured onto the streets April 9 and 10 to rally for immigrant rights as Democrats and Republicans continued to quarrel over the government's overhaul of immigration laws. Many demonstrators wore white t-shirts to symbolise peace, waved American flags and voiced their anger at Congress' failure to pass reforms that would help many of the estimated 11-12 million illegal immigrants to become citizens. Instead an anti immigration bill was passed by the House of Representatives that would make illegal immigrants felons and build a 698 mile wall along parts of the Mexican border. The bill contains no provision for guest workers.

We take this opportunity to remind you that from 1 May 2006 there are important changes to the UK Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS). Provisions have now been introduced to allow all international students on completion of a postgraduate degree such as a Master's degree or PhD, or those on an undergraduate degree in a shortage sector to work in the UK for up to 12 months from the beginning of next month.