Monday, June 11, 2007

Daily Telegraph

Migrant soft targets

Sir – I am appalled at the unfortunate, yet wholly avoidable, plight of two people in Kent who have this week been targeted by a Home Office desperate for results. Both 50-year-old, Barbados-born Hartley Alleyne and 19-year-old, Afghanistan-born Husein Panahi regard Britain as their home and have acted selflessly during their time here.

Mr Alleyne was refused a work permit because he does not have the required two A-levels needed to work as a cricket coach, despite having lived in the country for 29 years and possessing the most important thing needed to teach cricket: the ability to play well.

Mr Panahi has lived in Britain for only four years, but does not see Afghanistan as his home. Instead, he has made his own way in this country, through part-time jobs, and given back to the community with charitable activities. All he asked in return was for leave to remain here to finish his education.

The Home Office is desperate for results, and it is disgusting that two deserving people are being punished because it is easier than trying to hunt down and deport those who have no right to be here in the first place.

Alan Collins
Gillingham, Kent