Globalvisas.com Urges UK Government Not to Restrict Free Worship with its New Immigration Policy

August 26, 2008 - Press Dispensary - According to immigration law and visa specialist, Globalvisas.com ( http://www.globalvisas.com ), the UK government is detracting from the population’s right to free worship by restricting a 'minister of religion' from entering the country without a Home Office pre-approved sponsor.

Liam Clifford, director of Globalvisas.com, explains: “Many British citizens hold sacred and take for granted their freedom to worship, which makes the UK one of the most tolerant and respected societies in the world. However, this could all change if the government successfully introduces laws that make it more difficult for ministers of religion from outside the EU to enter the UK to address their congregations. It is worrying if the government successfully introduces these restrictions without people knowing what is happening and being aware of the implications.”

He adds: “Religious thought transcends national borders and most religions - including Christian faiths, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and more - regularly invite learned elders to join them in the UK for prayer and guidance. Young religious people are also invited to extend their understanding of the UK and its populace. The new laws to restrict ministers of religion coming here will affect every religion in the UK.”

For a minister of religion to enter the UK, they must currently provide a letter of invitation from the congregation(s) they wish to visit. However, under the new legislation, they will require a pre-approved government sponsor who has paid for their sponsorship licence. The new laws allow the Home Office to refuse the minister of religion entry if they do not have a pre-approved sponsor.

Liam Clifford says: “It begs the question: does the government intend to exercise this new power after going to the effort of introducing it? For example, might they invoke their new right to refuse sponsorship of ministers of religion? Maybe Catholics who disagree too loudly with abortion laws or Islamic preachers who oppose UK foreign policies could find their sponsors unable to invite them to the UK? This would, of course, be a worrying curtailment of our right to worship and one everybody needs to question.”

Mr Clifford adds: “Ministers of religion have never previously been required to report to a pre-approved sponsor, who must be based in the UK. Holy work carried out in the UK has not been overseen by any ‘local manager’ or sponsor. Furthermore, the data held by Immigration on ministers of religion breaching its rules and absconding seems extremely small to deserve such a response by the government.

“One Catholic priest summed it up when he said: ‘We have one sponsor and one boss. He most certainly is not answerable to the Home Office.’”

Liam Clifford and Globalvisas.com are fighting to have the new requirement for sponsorship removed. He says: “Freedom to worship should be encouraged and barriers should not be erected for those who wish to lead us in prayer. The idea of making money out of those who sponsor religious leaders is the lowest of the low - even for this government.”

He concludes: “When and why will the first ministers be refused entry? I hope the government’ doesn’t attempt to quote radical extremism as its reasoning behind any such action, as restricting worship in the UK is, in itself, quite radical and extreme.”

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Globalvisas.com is a leading UK visa and immigration consultancy specialising in immigration to the UK and Australia as well as New Zealand, Canada, the United States, South Africa and India. It is registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority as well as the Migration Institute of Australia, and holds the highest immigration accreditation level possible with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.

Founded in 1995 by an ex-Home Office immigration official, Globavisas.com is at the forefront of immigration today. The consultancy can draw on the combined experience of its team of dedicated immigration lawyers and migration specialists to help people obtain their visas.

For further information, please contact:
Liam Clifford, director, Global Visas
Tel: 0207 190 6555
Email:
Site: www.globalvisas.com