BBC news: Migrants wrongly told to leave UK by firm hired by UKBA

I thought this might be of interest to some members of the forum.

January 3, 2013
Migrants wrongly told to leave UK by firm hired by UKBA
By Angus Crawford BBC News

"People living legally in the UK have been incorrectly told to leave the country by a firm working for the government.

Capita were contracted by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) in September to track down 174,000 illegal immigrants.

Among those contacted by text and email were a woman with a UK passport, and a man with a valid visa who had invested £1m in a UK business.

Capita said some records passed to them by the UK Border Agency were not accurate."

Full story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20891597

How unprofessional of Capita and how distressing for anyone contacted who is here legitimately. 

"The firm will be paid depending on how many actually go back to their home country."

"The firm will be paid depending on how many actually go back to their home country."

Just undocumented or anyone? I'm sure we'll see Capita on UK-Y sometime soon. "We're only a small island, how about all of you just leave?" 

I guess... Anyone on the list, who was contacted, and leaves... would result in them being paid.

 

So, even people who were legally here, if they got the message and freaked out and left, it would result in a profit for them, right?

This is just sick and cruel.

But seriously, text messages? I'd need something more formal than a text message or email before I'd board a plane back to the US.

It was emails and texts, and they were sent multiple times.

It was emails and texts, and they were sent multiple times.

No, I get that, but I'm saying I wouldn't be boarding a plane to go home based on that alone. I would look into it further. If this was a purposeful oversight, they're just clearly taking advantage of people who might be in a vulnerable position. Like someone who has applied for FLR(M) via post and hasn't heard anything about their application status in months. If I was in that situation, I'd be more inclined to believe that the repeated emails and texts were accurate, but if I got a text tomorrow telling me I had to leave, I'd be contacting UKBA to report the error or for clarification because I know for a fact my visa valid until July 2014.

How completely ridiculous is this?  Texts and emails for governmental notifications?

I have to submit a letter to my local clinic if I want to switch my GP but the government (via a contractor) can tell people to leave via text?   

How completely ridiculous is this?  Texts and emails for governmental notifications?

I have to submit a letter to my local clinic if I want to switch my GP but the government (via a contractor) can tell people to leave via text?   

I can understand that, actually. If a mobile phone number is the only contact information you have (likely for at least some of these people who are actually here illegally and may have switched addresses more than a few times) then why not, and even if it's not the only means you have of contact, I can understand wanting to get this message through by any means you can.

"I can understand wanting to get this message through by any means you can." - springhaze.

What message? The 'Even tho you are actually legal, we are telling you are illegal, and now you must leave' message?

They did not need to send it at all. Never mind 'By any means'.

They are whacko.

"I can understand wanting to get this message through by any means you can." - springhaze.

What message? The 'Even tho you are actually legal, we are telling you are illegal, and now you must leave' message?

I'm sure some (probably most) people on the list handed to the company by UKBA were actually here illegally since that was the purpose of the exercise, even if they got it wrong for some people unfortunately!

I'm sure some (probably most) people on the list handed to the company by UKBA were actually here illegally since that was the purpose of the exercise, even if they got it wrong for some people unfortunately!

This is pretty much it. I know a few details about this contract that you don't hear in the news.

The News & Updates section of the UKBA website has some additional information on this topic.  See: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/20-capita

Full text here:

January 16, 2013
Capita Business Services contacting overstayers in the UK

In October 2012, Capita Business Services was awarded a contract with the UK Border Agency to provide a range of contact management and caseworking services.

It is vital that we contact people who no longer have permission to remain in the UK and facilitate their return home to maintain control over our immigration system.

Capita is working on cases in the migrant refusal pool (MRP) which consists of records of people who have applied to remain in the UK but been refused or had their leave curtailed. Capita will be contacting these applicants to establish their current circumstances and, where appropriate, inform them of the requirement to leave the UK.

Capita will typically be contacting foreign nationals who have entered the UK on valid visas and have subsequently been refused an extension of leave to remain, but evidence of their departure has not been confirmed.

Since October, Capita has been checking cases against the agency's records to identify which individuals should be contacted. Capita will use various contact methods to establish an individual's circumstances, including text message, letter, email and telephone.

Capita is contacting thousands of migrants every week, and while the vast majority have been identified correctly, in a small number of cases this might include people who are now legally in the UK. Their circumstances may have changed or updates on their case may not have fed through in time to prevent Capita's contact. We believe it is right to enforce the immigration rules. Allowing people with no right to be in the UK to stay indefinitely undermines the immigration system.

We will continue to work closely with Capita to ensure the information they are using is as accurate as possible. If we receive evidence to show that an individual has valid leave or has left the UK we will update our records.

Anyone who is in the UK legally and has been contacted in error should contact Capita on 0844 3754 636 or email CapitaContact@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk so our records can be updated.