NZ: Indian students protest deportation threat

Militant/Felicity Coggan

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Some 150 students from India have been issued deportation orders by Immigration New Zealand, starting mid-June. Since July they have not been allowed to attend class or work. About 50 people protested during the Diwali celebration here Oct. 15, demanding to be allowed to finish their courses and receive work permits. This was the latest of several actions, including the Sept. 26 rally above. Immigration lawyer Alastair McClymont said the students got their visas through an education agent based in India, who submitted fraudulent documents on their behalf without their knowledge and that deporting them for something that was not their fault is wrong.

— BASKARAN APPU