Ignorance in the Immigration Service

I've long since thought that the level of education in the country was dipping to levels of paucity. A catholic approach to learning is lacking in certain areas. Knowing a broad range of interesting facts and information is deemed unnecessary in today's modern world. So it comes as no surprise to learn that the Immigration Service has no clue that there are Welsh speakers in Patagonia.

On Bank Holiday Monday, a Welsh-speaking Patagonian Evelyn Calcabrini, aged 20, was heading to Glyndyfrdwy, Denbighshire, to stay with a local couple for six months. However she has been sent back from Heathrow Airport to Patagonia after immigration officials refused to believe she was travelling to Wales to learn Welsh. Even with the intervention of two Plaid Cymru MPs, the UK Border Agency said "NO!"

An official said, "We have strict rules in place to protect Britain's border and the responsibility rests with applicants to demonstrate they meet the requirements of these rules and will comply with any conditions attached to their leave. Where they do not, entry will be refused. The system is firm and fair, and it applies to everyone." Firm and fair? Not if it is being adjudicated by educationally sub-normal apparatchiks. Even after being told that the couple would vouch for the young woman, these culturally unaware penpushers declined her entry.

I suggest there is a trip laid on to Patagonia for the UK Border Agency. Let them see for themselves that Wales has historic links with the area. What do they say - travel broadens the horizons. Having let in a host of undesirables on the flimsy evidence that they have never heard of Abu Hamza and the like, these protectors of the borders need a few lessons that might help themselves and us all.