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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse to check immigration status of my students

80 replies

Nevermay · 08/08/2023 18:07

Have been informed that as of September, tutors in the comprehensive school where I work will be expected to check the immigration status of students in our tutor groups, particularly new ones, and highlight any suspicious individuals.

I've thought about this for a few weeks, and have decided to simply say no, not my job, I don't have time, I wouldn't recognise a false passport if it bit my ear, and I really don't want to mess up my relationships with my students in their first week in the school. I emailed my union yesterday to inform them of the instruction, and my decision, no response yet, I have spoken to a couple of other colleagues I am friends with, and they are not happy either - I don't know if they will actually refuse, but I suspect so

Would you do it?

OP posts:
Wenfy · 10/08/2023 09:49

Comedycook · 10/08/2023 09:31

Is this not a safeguarding risk? Could it mean some children disappear off the radar? What if a child wants to confide in a teacher because they have a problem but would be scared to in case their immigration status is discovered?

Kids disappear from schools frequently. It’s why leave to remain must be something teachers are prepared to discuss with families. In most cases it’s accidental and related to companies (who have staff here on intracompany visas) forgetting to submit documentation in time. If the teacher knows a child’s leave to remain they can remind parents to chase up before police arrive to escort the family onto a flight.

twelly · 10/08/2023 09:55

I do not think that is a teacher's role at all for a number of reasons.

I am quite surprised that a school is asking teachers to do it rather than the administration staff as they would be looking at these documents for all students not just one or two students which means they would know what they are looking for/at.

Dinopawus · 10/08/2023 09:56

Have your union replied? I would be astonished if they thought this was an appropriate role for teachers.

Not least because a teacher's relationship with their students is important. A teacher noticing and reporting concerns re possible trafficking is a key part of safeguarding.

Comedycook · 10/08/2023 09:56

Wenfy · 10/08/2023 09:49

Kids disappear from schools frequently. It’s why leave to remain must be something teachers are prepared to discuss with families. In most cases it’s accidental and related to companies (who have staff here on intracompany visas) forgetting to submit documentation in time. If the teacher knows a child’s leave to remain they can remind parents to chase up before police arrive to escort the family onto a flight.

Show quote history

I think you're living in cloud cuckoo land if you think the motivation for this is to help families make sure their visas are updated and to protect children from the trauma of being deported.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 10/08/2023 09:57

twelly · 10/08/2023 09:55

I do not think that is a teacher's role at all for a number of reasons.

I am quite surprised that a school is asking teachers to do it rather than the administration staff as they would be looking at these documents for all students not just one or two students which means they would know what they are looking for/at.

Probably because they don't think teachers have time to check the Statutory Guidance that says this isn't something you should be doing, what with not being the Fucking Home Office and all that.

The Admin aren't in work to be able to check and say No Fucking Way.

StrangersGathering · 10/08/2023 10:00

JaukiVexnoydi · 08/08/2023 18:23

Yanbu

If you are educating under 18s then their immigration status is irrelevant.

Education is a fundamental humam right for children. You are in the business of ensuring that the children in your sphere of influence have access to that fundamental human right.

If other people want to make it their business to be a source of obstruction to them accessing that right by rounding them and their families up and tying them up in bureaucracy and making their living situation more unstable- you don't have to cooperate

Good post.

Good luck, OP. I would feel exactly as you do.

nonheme · 10/08/2023 10:04

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

CakAndMoreCake · 10/08/2023 10:08

Normally a check doesn’t involve any expectation you can spot false passports. It’s simply that you take a copy of the passport you are presented with, and check the name and photo match. Not that you are a fraud expert. Just to reassure anyone who does this.

As a teacher there’s no way I’d have got involved in such checks though. I’ve in the past certainly been aware of families with at least possible ‘illegal’ status. Not my business to do anything other than educate the child in front of me. My priority is the child is safe, not hidden away in an overcrowded flat all day every day because mum or dad is scared that sending them to school could get them
kicked out. The child comes first and I will not ever play a part in putting a child at risk, if they are here I want them safe. There are other agencies better placed to deal with immigration

Zodfa · 10/08/2023 10:14

To be honest I think all this passport checking stuff is mostly so the government can be Seen To Be Doing Something About Illegal Immigration and to act as a deterrent to illegal immigrants. The government and police are too under-resourced to do much to check the rules are actually being followed.

ChatBFP · 10/08/2023 10:16

I agree with you OP. The only time I would raise a concern is if it was becoming clear to me that the relevant person was very likely not a child. That, I would see as a safeguarding issue for the other children in the class and an issue that needed more consideration from someone who was an expert in the field. I wouldn't expect to have to do any more than report my concerns that the person in my class seemed likely to be, say, 25.

NewNovember · 10/08/2023 10:34

I thought it was under 16 not under 18's that had the right to education regardless of status has that changed? That would explain the op being asked to check as the teach year 12/13.

NewNovember · 10/08/2023 10:34

*they

NeverDropYourMooncup · 10/08/2023 10:37

NewNovember · 10/08/2023 10:34

I thought it was under 16 not under 18's that had the right to education regardless of status has that changed? That would explain the op being asked to check as the teach year 12/13.

Under 18s have the right as well.

LucyGru · 10/08/2023 10:39

You're absolutely right to refuse, both on practical grounds (not your job) and on moral grounds - you are an educator. You teach the child in front of you.

YesterdayO · 10/08/2023 10:43

@Comedycook
At my GPS surgery they have a big sign which actually says that they won't check the immigration status of patients so people shouldn't worry about accessing healthcare.

❤️

kirinm · 10/08/2023 10:50

Our government is so inept, so populist and so racist that schools are being told to go against the law to try and help them with their anti-immigration pantomime.

If this is anyone's job, it's border control / the home office. Good for you for refusing OP.

JenniferBarkley · 10/08/2023 10:52

I'm a lecturer and we've had this for a while - international students' visas depend on their engagement with the course, and so we have to monitor their attendance.

We've had varying systems over the years, currently we're monitoring everyone's attendance due to terrible engagement coming out of covid, but at times I've had to say "Could anyone who is on a Tier IV visa please scan this QR code and fill in the form" which I hate. Fortunately I'm not involved in what happens after that but I hate that universities are.

JamSandle · 10/08/2023 10:53

I'd do it.

Ohthatsabitshit · 10/08/2023 10:56

I don’t disclose our status on principle at school. Children have a right to education in the uk. They need to be in school not scared that their “status” will be revealed. My British born but foreign looking child was the only one asked to present his passport last year at college….his teacher and I agreed to ignore it.

Ripplesgo · 10/08/2023 10:57

Refusing to weaponise repellent "hostile environment" tactics against under-18s studying is a principled stance, good for you OP.

Maddy70 · 10/08/2023 11:00

It's not a teacher's role so just don't do it ignore it

Of they push back just say everything looks ok to you but you're no expert ... Leave it at that

Soubriquet · 10/08/2023 11:04

Fuck no. Not my job. That’s immigrations job

ThereIsOnlyOne · 10/08/2023 11:11

NeverDropYourMooncup · 08/08/2023 18:29

This is the guidance

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/schools-admissions-applications-from-overseas-children

It is the responsibility of the parents of foreign national children to check that their children have a right under their UK entry conditions to study at a school before applying for a place. It is not the role of state-funded schools or local authorities to ask for proof of eligibility before offering a place.

The admission authorities for state-funded schools (maintained schools and academy schools) must not check the immigration or nationality status of foreign national children as a pre-condition for admission.

Admission authorities for state-funded schools:

  • must not refuse to admit a child on the basis of their nationality or immigration status nor remove them from the roll on this basis
  • must not ask to see passports or other immigration information as a condition of admission (this would be a breach of paragraphs 1.9(a) and 2.8 of the school admissions code)
  • with the exception of children who are Irish nationals, must not actively recruit foreign national children who are still resident overseas as pupils

Don't do it. If Nigel in the MAT wants to act as an Immigration Officer, he can fucking well join the Civil Service. No member of staff, not teaching, not support, should be carrying out immigration checks.

This.

I do Sixth Form admissions. There is a yess/no question on the application form asking if student is a UK citizens/lived in UK for last 3 years (or something, cannot remember ...wording came from LEA).

If they say no, I ping over a reminder to patents/carers based on the fact it is their responsibility to ensure OK. And that is it.

Exam results, yes (admin job not tutor job). Passports, no.

Ponoka7 · 10/08/2023 11:11

I don't agree with this because it is to police the most vulnerable because this government want tick box, popular policies, rather than solutions. However I've always thought that early years/HV/MW should identify those with no recourse to public funds, because of the vulnerability. Often the women don't know that they can get that removed if they become destitute. I work, voluntarily in this field and the exploitation etc is a real safeguarding risk.

BCCoach · 10/08/2023 11:12

How does the conversation go?
"I need to see your passport to check your immigration status."
"I don't have one, I've never been on holiday abroad Miss."