The Editor, Sir:

I am so dismayed at Percival La Touche's views on the proposed immigration rules in the United Kingdom.

I am a student here in the UK and believe its government is being hypocritical. They know what the problem is but they pretend that its the students who are responsible for breaking their rules. Instead of targeting the bogus colleges, they target foreigners (as we are called). These colleges, advertise as regular institutions, and students enrol only to find that they are only interested in taking their money.

Sometimes, we are out thousands of pounds but because of the fear of being asked to leave and losing all we have invested into our achieving a better education, we keep quiet. I must admit that there are students who don't go to school but why brand every student as the same?

Outstanding fees

The Home Office is now asking students to have in their account the amount of £1,600 (if you study inner in London) at least 28 days before you apply for a visa. This is in addition to having in this account funds to cover any outstanding fees. If you are being supported by family, you have to have the same surname and both names have to be on the account. If you are 1p short of the required funds, your are denied the 10 points. The colleges are now your official sponsors. They collect your money and they don't apply to the Home Office to be on their official register. Of course, you will be denied the 30 points to be had from being enrolled into a college on the official list.

Do you know what it cost to appeal that decision? It is £1,000 at the cheapest with no guarantee that you will win an appeal. The UK government fails to see that its own 'born there' citizens don't want to work. They live off the benefits of this country. Why work for minimum wage of £5.82 per week when they can choose not to work and get their rent paid, council tax paid and job-seeker allowance, just to mention a few.

So-called foreigners

It's the so-called foreigners who work and pay taxes and ensure that the government has taxes to pay those benefits.

The UK government is hitting out at the wrong set of people. Persons from the EU can land in the UK today and be on benefit tomorrow. Jamaicans can't. I must admit there are a lot of illegal Jamaicans here but they work and pay tax. they make a contribution to this society. Not all Jamaicans are bad. All some need is the opportunity to get legal.

Immigration is a must, policies will always be made and amended but the ones who suffer most are the honest, hard-working people. The drug dealers, train bombers, the terrorists and the no gooders will always find ways to get what they want.

I am, etc.,

GEORGIA THOMPSON

gloturn1969@yahoo.com

London, England