Post
by sakura » Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:54 am
No, an amnesty isn't coming up - at least nothing has been mentioned, so for now, there are no plans.
And, to be honest - even if there was, I think they would only allow a temporary stay, rather than allow people to earn ILR afterwards. I mean, they would not likely give you a 5-year visa to lead up to ILR. It'll probably be like other amnesties so far - one or two years, then you will have to fit the bill for other visas. This might even be moreso if they have the tiered system they plan to introduce starting 2008.
And - JAJ is partly right (IMHO) - if you are a legal resident then you can bring your husband/wife/partner, young kids, if your assumption is that you might (finally) be given permanent residency at some point.
I'd like to say...it is really hard to find a 'balanced' approach to these types of topics. IPPR is really lefty/liberal, and, just as we berate Migrationwatch for having a one-track mind, IPPR also have an agenda - they are not 'impartial' either and, if you know their past works, this is why they are calling for a 'general' amnesty. Their numbers may add up and look nice (£1bn), but I'd like to know where they get their figures from and of the cost-benefits analysis (long-term situation, since, clearly, an amnesty is a short-term solution to a long-term problem)
Honestly, after the initial £1bn, what then? Do they ever calculate the costs of their dependents? Although Migrationwatch's arguments about housing is wrong (i.e. no migrants can claim public funds), they do, however, relate to if or when such migrants are possibly given ILR, then they are more likely (than, say, a skilled migrant on a WP or HSMP) to use housing benefits or other such things. Not all (of course they are not that dumb), but some, and that is a problem that could be avoided by not giving an amnesty.
It depends, really, on when/whether the new tier system comes into place and they need to 'purge' themselves of all the problems from the old system. And, of course, on whether the people want an amnesty. The Conservatives, and even the Liberal Democrats (!) don't think that is the solution to an already sticky problem.
The recession (where?!) is a very good point.
I think...at some point, maybe an amnesty giving them, say, a 2 year visa, then they need to meet the requirements of either a WP or HSMP (or student visa, etc), and if not, then leave? (But would they leave?) That might help the skilled, but, I dunno, only a suggestion...
Yeah this topic always attracts the regulars!
