A student may be forced to return to his “dangerous” home country where he fears for his safety because of his sexuality.
Jonas, an undergraduate student at the University of Sheffield since 2021, wished to use a pseudonym because of worries that he would be unsafe in his home country in the Middle East.
He told Sheffield Wire he came to England in order to be able to express himself and explore his queer identity during his studies.
He explained: “Being a queer person in the Middle East is still a struggle, and can even become dangerous.”
Jonas moved to England three years ago thinking he was going to be able to do his degree, then find a job and potentially build a life with a family.
But last month Home Secretary James Cleverly asked for a review of the Graduate Visa, a post-study work visa that allows graduates to work for up to three years after finishing a course, which may lead to its abolishment.
The death penalty is still in place for sodomy in his country, and same-sex marriages are not recognized. There, Jonas feels he would not be able to grow and plan his future.
He said: “I had a whole five-year plan, but it seems to be falling apart now. I don’t know what I’ll do if I am not staying here in the UK.”
After hearing about the “rapid review” of the Graduate Visa he said he feels helpless and expressed concerns about the support he will receive.
He said: “I don’t want to experience the homophobia that I experienced in the past. I want to express myself more. I haven’t explored myself enough. I want to be myself, be a free bird. Like I am right here, not back at home.”
Jonas now has to finish his degree without knowing what his future will be.
He said: “I don’t understand, I paid a lot of money to come here, between the visa fees, the tuition fees, my accommodation, and my regular expenses to live. I participate in the economy and do not get any money from the government. Why can I not stay?”
