Post
by gaurav » Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:08 pm
I sent an email to my local MP Mr Jim Cousins on 21st April and had a postal reply today.His reply was very weird so I have written again to see him personally.I am posting my email and his reply as under.
My Email:
Respected Sir,
As you would be aware that Parliament has passed the changes in
Immigration rules(HC 1016)on 30/03/06.According to this all immigrants related
to work related catagories i.e HSMP/Work permit holders etc can apply
for ILR after 5 years now instead of 4 years.The implementation on this
policy has been started from 03/04/06 retrospectively.
I don t have any objection on this policy as it might be in best
interest of UK, my only objection is about it's retrospective implementation.
As we were told when we chose to enter this country that we would be
qualified for ILR after 4 yrs if we satisfied all the criteria set forth.
The retrospective implementation of this proposed change has a number
of negative effects on the practical life of people who entered under
the old rules and have faithfully satisfied the stringent rules for
approval of Further Leave to Remain (ability to get mortgages on residential
property, children's ability to study at UK universities, etc.), but
the principle involved goes far beyond the practical problems.
We are neither refugees nor asylum seekers, but Highly Skilled people
who felt we were entering into a contract by choosing to come here under
the stated conditions at the time we applied. We are shocked and
dismayed that, having kept our part of the bargain, we see the more powerful
party changing the rules of the game. We understand the wish to change
the rules to make you more in line with European norms, and to create a
more coherent long-term immigration policy; but any such changes should
in fairness only apply to new applicants, people who choose to migrate
to the UK knowing what the (new) rules are. Retrospective changing of
the rules is unfair, in civil contracts illegal, and to our minds not in
keeping with what we imagined was the British sense of fair play.
As legal skilled immigrants in the UK, we came here because we like
this country and its people. Once here, we become ambassadors for the UK
in our countries of origin. We work hard and want to integrate into
society, but this sudden retrospective change, without anything like proper
consultation, makes us have doubts about the wisdom of our choice. We
are convinced that other persons having the sort of skills that the
Government itself says the country needs, and especially the most qualified
amongst them (who definitely have a choice as to where to go), will
think twice about signing on to a programme where the rules can be changed
without notice, retrospectivelyy and without appeal. To alienate us may
be an acceptable side effect to a desirable policy change; to alienate
thousands of potential high-quality migrants bringing badly needed
entrepreneurial and other skills would seem to be bad policy indeed.
I hope you would agree with my concerns about retrospective
implementation of these changes and will discuss this issue with your fellow
Parliamentarians and immigration Minister and will try to convince them
about side effects of retrospective implementation so that changes should
be implemented to those who know at the time of entering in the UK about
these changes.
I look forward for your reply.Thank you
Regards
XXXXX
His Reply:
Dear Mr XXXx
Thankyou for contacting me about immigration policy.This is a very important matter and thankyou for raising it with me.
This letter is an acknowledment that your letter has been received.Please note the new e-mail address shown above.
I'd also like you to know that I(and my staff) are committed to Data Protection principles .People sometimes how I keep information .This will be in a paper file.Some information may be recorded electronically as well.If you wish to see this at any time,please let me know in writing.
I generally try to keep in touch with people who contact me, and sometimes send on further information.I am enclosing details of my advice sessions .My advice sessions are a way in which you can speak to me in person.But, if you think you may have a problem of access,let me know .I will then make arrangements to see you.
Yours Sincerely
Jim Cousins
Labour MP for Newcastle Central
As the reply was quiet weird and absurd ,I have written again to him and requested for a personal appointment. I would like you guys to give me some input on how I can use this meeting effectively.
Apologies to post such a big post
