A STIRLING University student who was detained by the Home Office has been released on bail – though he remains barred from continuing his studies, his lawyers have told The National.
Muhammad Rauf Waris spent more than two months in Dungavel House immigration removal centre in South Lanarkshire.
We told how he was arrested at his place of work on suspicion of working over the allowed time on a student visa.
He was released on Wednesday last week following a successful bail hearing the day before, his lawyers have told The National – but part of the terms of his release was the continued suspension of his student visa.
This means the 26-year-old Pakistani national (below) remains unable to continue his masters degree in business management at Stirling University for the time being.
It is unclear whether he will be able to return to his studies and the revocation of his student visa means he is also unable to work, said Denize Okan, a senior solicitor at McGlashan MacKay, the law firm representing Waris.
She said the first steps had been made to secure a judicial review of his case and accused the Home Office of failing to provide evidence for its assertions he had been working more than the permitted 20 hours per week.
Okan said: “Even though Mr Waris has been released from detention, the matter isn’t at an end. We continue to look to challenge the underlying Home Office decision and have submitted the first step in the judicial review process.
“Following this, the case might resolve, but it looks like they will maintain their decision which means we will need to raise proceedings in the Court of Session.
“The concern on a personal level is that Mr Waris is unable to pick up where he left off and start studying again, nor is he able to work.
“The Home Office has still not provided any evidence to substantiate their allegations that he was working outwith the terms of his visa.
“Although we are delighted to have secured his release, the struggle for him continues as he is currently living in limbo unsure of what lies ahead.”
Waris had previously described his time in Dungavel as “mental torture” and said he struggled to eat while in the facility, which is near Strathaven.
The Home Office said it does not comment on individual cases.
Stirling University was approached for comment.
