Outcry Ensues as UK Plans to Prohibit Immigration

During his annual New Year’s address on Monday, January 1, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, unveiled plans to prohibit migrants from relocating to the country.

Sunak attributed this bold decision to his commitment to the welfare of the British people. The Home Office, the governmental body in charge of immigration and passports, supports this standpoint, stressing that the objective of the policy is to achieve a substantial reduction in migration. However, the Home Office conveys that specific groups, such as post-graduate research or government-funded scholarship students, would be exempt from the prohibition.

Nonetheless, the consequences of this decision are expected to impact Kenyans and other foreign nationals, as it will prevent foreign university students from bringing their family members to the United Kingdom. As a result, a considerable amount of British citizens have voiced their anger, contending that the actions of the Prime Minister will result in a deterioration of the nation’s prestigious higher education system, which is highly acclaimed. They predict that this policy would greatly harm the financial support received by UK universities, as international students would seek alternative educational opportunities elsewhere.

“This policy will significantly damage the funding of UK universities as international students will go elsewhere. That means that a generation of Britons will pay more to go to college and university, making it a preserve of the rich,” one UK citizen complained to the Prime Minister.

Another citizen raised concerns about the potential advantages for British citizens in making life more challenging for foreign students. The opposition group, known as the Labour Party, censured the choice to dissuade foreign students, contending that it would prompt them to seek education opportunities elsewhere.

A member of the Labour Party commented that the UK’s reputation and relevance are declining. Don McGowan, a Scottish citizen, shared similar concerns, highlighting the negative impact on the economy and the university sector. The Higher Education Statistics Agency reports that a significant number of international students are studying in the UK in the current academic year.

These students often relocate with their families, contributing to the UK’s migrant population of 11 million, as per the Immigration Advice Service. It is estimated that the number of Kenyan residents in the United Kingdom surpasses 150,000.