This paper examines the retrospective changes of immigration policy of April the 3rd 2006 and its impact on highly skilled immigrants (HSIs) and their families in the UK. Semi-structured interviews were completed with ten highly skilled immigrants who had immigrated to the UK from March 2003. Participants were asked to comment on various aspects of their lives since immigrating to the UK, in particular the change in qualifying period for settlement and its impact on their lives. This study has assembled some evidence from HSIs' experience of retrospective changes of immigration policy to show how some aspects of UK immigration policies under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) can be considered counterproductive to policies and genuine political will to foster and strengthen social cohesion. The findings suggest that HSIs' human rights have been violated under the HSMP. A majority of those interviewed considered the new retrospective change of the qualifying period for settlement as unjust, having an adverse affect on their lives. Postponing their permanent residency status could lead them to be marginalised in society. © Common Ground, Taghi Doostgharin, All Rights Reserved.

Settlement immigration policies highly skilled immigrants

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