Cable Forum - View Single Post - Confused about who IS entitled to be in the UK?

me283 · 11-03-2005, 20:49

Been thinking about this for a while, and listening to the news today has brought back somewhat conflicting issues to my head. Here goes:

1) A few years back, I had an American girlfriend. She came to visit (legally) on a 3 month visa; she was nearly sent back, as although I was collecting her at the airport, she had money, I could support her etc etc, the immigration chap thought she might be trying to stay here for longer.

2) The Belmarsh detainees are to be released forthwith (according to the news earlier, but that situation may have changed). According to reports, these are known as "dangerous people", insomuch as at least one is a high ranking member of Al Qaeda. Why are they not just refused entry (as they would be to many other countries), as one assumes it is not compulsory to allow just anyone to enter the country?

3) Abu Hamza and others are known as illegal immigrants, they preach hatred of this country yet they are allowed to stay, seemingly on an open-ended basis, supported by the benefit system. He even had police presence to ensure his preaching sessions were not interrupted.

4) Last year, Jean-Marie Le Pen (French, leader of their equivalent to the National Front) was threatened with deportation if he spoke out of line. There were even calls to ban him entering the UK, even though as a European he is supposedly entitled to be free to roam through Europe. He wasn't looking to claim benefits either.

So my question is this: who has a RIGHT To enter the country, and who decides on which people DON'T have a right?

Incidentally, I don't support Le Pen, nor do I endorse his politics; he is merely an example here.

11-03-2005, 20:49	#1
me283 Inactive Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Back in England, but not for long... Services: Weddings, christenings, barmitzvahs Posts: 3,422	Confused about who IS entitled to be in the UK? Been thinking about this for a while, and listening to the news today has brought back somewhat conflicting issues to my head. Here goes: 1) A few years back, I had an American girlfriend. She came to visit (legally) on a 3 month visa; she was nearly sent back, as although I was collecting her at the airport, she had money, I could support her etc etc, the immigration chap thought she might be trying to stay here for longer. 2) The Belmarsh detainees are to be released forthwith (according to the news earlier, but that situation may have changed). According to reports, these are known as "dangerous people", insomuch as at least one is a high ranking member of Al Qaeda. Why are they not just refused entry (as they would be to many other countries), as one assumes it is not compulsory to allow just anyone to enter the country? 3) Abu Hamza and others are known as illegal immigrants, they preach hatred of this country yet they are allowed to stay, seemingly on an open-ended basis, supported by the benefit system. He even had police presence to ensure his preaching sessions were not interrupted. 4) Last year, Jean-Marie Le Pen (French, leader of their equivalent to the National Front) was threatened with deportation if he spoke out of line. There were even calls to ban him entering the UK, even though as a European he is supposedly entitled to be free to roam through Europe. He wasn't looking to claim benefits either. So my question is this: who has a RIGHT To enter the country, and who decides on which people DON'T have a right? Incidentally, I don't support Le Pen, nor do I endorse his politics; he is merely an example here.