Pregnant Foreign Students

[Jibby123]

Can anyone tell me why foreign students who get pregnant are being treated like criminals within the immigration.

The immigration system allows for the withdrawal of visa from any student who misses 10 classes after having a baby. This is scandalous.

Are foreign mothers inferior to other mothers or does pregnancy affect them in a different way?

Some argue that a visa is given for studies and not to have babies but we know that pregnancies do not necessarily as planned especially when students are allowed to bring their spouses along with them as dependants.

Just because you are a foreign student is not a ban on sex.

This situation puts a lot of pressure on pregnant foreign students and is causing them to go through harrowing experiences while pregnant as they worry about their visa status and are forced to attend studies even when they are not fit to. The pregnancy alone is hard enough.

Pregnancy is not a disease, not a crime and certainly not an immigration offence.

WE need to raise this issue to the government so that they can treat pregnant foreign students in a more humane manner.

fuckity - no, you're right, as a postgrad - sorry, I meant it in the context of my other post about how there are differences between undergrad and postgrad.

I don't see how most undergrad courses could be made more suitable for pregnancy - it's not xenophobic, just a result of the course structure which is as rigid for home students as for foreign students. The only possible thing to do would be to waive part of the fee for the visa the second time around but it'd be very difficult to do that in practice, I suspect. The student would have to go home, there's not much wiggle room there that I can see.

Different for postgrads, but for postgrads the system is already set up to accommodate them.

jibby, the term you used is extremely offensive and a personal attack, and I am reporting your post.

Pregnancy is not an illness or bereavement. It is the creation of life not the end of it. Bereaved students are given time off to attend to their loss. This country does not deport people who are ill. Why should pregnancy be treated worse?

If you are pg and receiving ante-natal care, birth care, post-natal care etc on nhs, I seriously doubt you would be contributing more to the economy overall than you are taking out.

How much is a standard birth these days? Let alone anything mildly complicated, or a C-section, etc etc.

OP, I have some sympathy for your point of view, but if you want a proper debate, then you need to debate properly yourself. Insulting those who disagree with you won't aid your argument.

A cretin is someone who childlike, insensitive and full of pointless information. If that is offensive, go ahead and report.

Actually jibby, I was told that my pregnancy wasn't reason enough for them to refund me the weeks I wasn't living in my university accomodation (I moved out about a month prior to the birth and still paid the remaining two months rent that was due for my room.) I was told that had one of my parents died, the fee would have been waived. Most odd. And calling people cretins is hardly helping your arguement that we are all just xenophobes now is it

And you know it's not actually that difficult to avoid pregnancy is it?
I managed to have a very active sex life for 15 or so years before getting (intentionally) pg.

jibby, actually, that term was historically used to describe people with particular mental difficulties. It's considered offensive by many including me. It's certainly a personal attack.

You're not doing yourself any favours like this.

You forget that the person I responded to was asking how old I am, that is, questioning my ability to contribute to this discussion rather than make a useful contribution. How come you all missed that and seem to focus on my response?

Yes swanker, obviously that's true of the NHS care costs, but the same would apply to those on working visas - the tax that they paid in would not be enough to pay for what they took out. (And the same thing applies to lots of British taxpayers).

fuckity - that's really shit of your university!

Pregnancy is usually a lifestyle choice.Choose to study or choose to get up the duff. Simples.

swanker exactly how much are you contributing?

Most foreign students have to cone in with private health insurance.

If any one does use NHS, it typically costs £5,000 for end to end care. The amount a student contributes through living expenses in a year, let alone tuition, would easily cover that

No pregnancy is a choice. An unexpected one for some but a choice none the less. Illness & bereavement are just as much a part of life & beyond your control. All three require time off for practicalities & recovery. All are a bum when they happen to you abroad.

Yeah, it sucked. But que sera sera. I think the wording in the contract of the uni accomodation about being excused from the contract was worded very cleverly to prevent them losing a lot of money if people dropped out.

Wow, this thread is way too shouty and hectic. Repost in AIBU OP you are bound to get a good debate there.

I think the argument that women can choose when to have a baby is problematic, because it seems to get applies to all stages in women's lives. I don't know what the right answer is with this specific question though - but just wanted to bring that point in.

Jericho, an English word could have many meanings and I believe you are English. I have used it and have gone on explain in what terms I have used it after your initial query. I don't know why you have to define it in the most extreme of ways!

I second moving this to aibu.

I just cannot believe the moronic, xenophobic responses here

jibby, that's the root meaning. It's not 'extreme'. I have explained that this word may offend people and is a personal attack. Saying 'oh, but I meant it as a slightly less rude personal attack' isn't really cutting it.

Gosh, I am so fortunate that I was a foreign student in the USA. I got a full scholarship, excellent subsidised healthcare and thank god, no restrictions/issues about pregnancy or taking time off or any such nonsense.

The country is full of xenophobes, no need to be surprised. Mention immigration and some people's minds go into shutdown mode.