Immigration rules that could see the Brain family chucked out of Scotland have been branded “destructive” during a Holyrood debate.
MSPs vented their anger over the axing of the post-study work visa, which has seen the Dingwall family threatened with deportation.
Gregg and Kathyrn Brain – originally from Australia – have until August to get their tier-two visa sorted after they were granted a stay of execution by the Home Office last month.
But the couple, who have a seven-year-old son, Lachlan, have been told they cannot work until their application is approved – despite having jobs lined up.
Leave campaigner Michael Gove had suggested the Brain family would be able to stay in Scotland if the UK left the EU – a view ridiculed by Highlands MSP Kate Forbes.
The SNP member, who organised yesterday’s debate, said: “The UK Government’s stubborn and destructive approach to the post-study work visa is harming Scottish education, our economy and driving families like the Brains from the Highland communities who’re desperate to keep them.
“The absurd claim by the Leave campaign that a vote to leave the EU would empower Scotland to attract migrants only highlights their hypocrisy on this issue – it’s Michael Gove and his colleagues who’ve refused to act.
“If Michael Gove wants to give the Scottish Parliament the power to attract skilled workers he should persuade his colleagues to devolve it – instead of making false promises to the Brains as cover for a campaign that has belittled and stigmatised immigrants.
“It’s time that the UK Government ditched their box-ticking approach to migration, listened to the broad consensus in Holyrood and gave Scotland the power to end the brain drain from our universities – and to keep families like the Brains in
their homes.”
Ms Forbes was joined by MSPs from other parties in calling for the UK Government to rethink its visa program.
Fellow Highland MSP and Labour member David Stewart said: “All we ask is that the Brain family be given their chance to enrich their adopted country and ask the government to think again on the restrictive and anti-competitive tier two policy.”
Tory MSP Alexander Stewart said his party was still “lobbying” for a “Scottish solution to the problem” created by the scrapping of the post-study work visa.
