International students accused of cheating on Home Office-approved English language tests between 2011 and 2014 were inspired by ITV's success. post office drama, It sparked a public outcry and persuaded politicians to take another look at unresolved scandals involving the country's postal service's computer systems.
They hope to shine a light on its devastating effects. “Britain’s forgotten immigration scandal” The Home Office has canceled the visas of around 35,000 international students due to alleged misconduct.
Students began writing workshops hosted by: Migrants' Voices The charity, which has been supporting victims for the past 10 years, is launching an outreach campaign with the help of a film producer. worked with charities In the past.
Nazek Ramadan, director of Migrant Voice, expressed frustration at how difficult it is to make politicians and the public understand the catastrophic human impact of the crisis.
“It took drama for Post Office officials to begin the process of justice and obtain a public apology, resolution and compensation. So we thought, why not?”
“When I watched the Post Office drama, I was struck by the similarities. False accusations, IT malfunctions, software systems ruining people's lives, students unable to prove their innocence… ” Ramadan said.
The TOEIC scandal led to the deportation of around 2,500 students, and 72,000 are said to have left the UK after being told they would be arrested if they stayed. So far, more than 3,600 students win the appeal Despite their opposition to the Home Office, many more are still fighting to clear their names.
Students left due to legal costs. be in debt Some have been driven into poverty and homelessness, with no right to work or study in the UK.
“There are tens of thousands of stories like this,” Ramadan said. So the question is how do we choose which stories to include?”
There are currently just over 10 students participating in the writing workshop, but that number is growing.
One of them, Dilshad Abdul (44), came from Sri Lanka in 2008 to study IT at the British Institute of Technology (BIT).
“I come from a privileged background in Sri Lanka and coming to study in the UK was a really proud moment for my family. That argument changed everything. I didn’t do anything wrong, but I feel like I broke their hearts,” Abdul said.
He was told in 2012 that he would need to take an English test to start a new university. He found the Home Office-approved ETS test “easy” and found nothing wrong with the test centre.
“It’s really easy when you’re dealing with statistics and talking about cases and appeals.”
It was not until 2015 that Abdul's application to stay in the UK was refused, as he was made aware of the allegations of misconduct against him. Since then he has spent more than that. The legal costs of fighting the decision were £17,000.
“When you’re dealing with statistics and talking about cases and appeals, it’s easy to forget the humanity involved and the catastrophic impact on individuals,” said Patrick Lewis, an attorney who represented more than 80 accused students.
“But dramatization can really humanize them and make people understand the randomness of the accusations. That's why it's so scary, because you really think that person could be me,” Lewis added.
According to a 2014 BBC survey: clear evidence revealed Cheating at two test centers offering ETS tests; But the Home Office was prepared to accept evidence from ETS that 97% had committed fraud. It was severely criticized.
ETS records show Abdul is listed as an Indian national when in fact he is from Sri Lanka, and according to a 2019 congressional report, evidence provided by ETS said: “It’s confusing, misleading, inaccurate and unsafe.”
“me I still don't understand what happened in court. Even though the judge and the Home Office knew the ETS data was inaccurate, they still ruled against me. This has just become normalized. How do they justify that I am wrong? This is why I really need to fight this issue,” Abdul said.
“All my protests were accepted. I refused. If I leave the UK the charges will follow me. There is no choice. You can't go to another country until you clear your name. “I applied to go to the United States twice, but I couldn’t get a visa and was treated like a criminal.”
In 2017, Abdul was unable to attend his mother's funeral in Sri Lanka because the Home Office held his passport. “My case was still pending and my relatives at home disowned me. “They said I had dishonored and disrespected the family,” he said.
Abdul now lives with his brother and nephew, but said he feels “guilt” and “shame” for relying on their charity for so long.
“I felt suicidal and suffered from chronic migraines. I have a lot of PTSD and trauma and every time I see a police car I get a panic attack because I'm afraid I'm going to be deported… “I try to improve my mental and physical health every day.”
“If I leave the UK the charges will follow me. “I have no choice, I can’t go to other countries until my name is cleared.”
Abdul, 44, feels like he missed out on the best years of his life, but his dream of returning to Sri Lanka after justice is served in Britain still remains.
“All I want is my freedom and a peaceful life. That is all I ask of the Home Office. I still believe in the British justice system, but the charges against us are wrong and I must clear my name.”
Abdul and thousands of others await sentencing for: important new evidence This was heard in court in December, raising new questions about the Home Office's treatment of students.
He is inspired by the impact the Post Office drama has had to accelerate the path to justice and hopes the same can be done for the thousands of victims of the Test scandal.