Migrants 'may have to leave city'

New immigration rules could affect many families living in the North west

About 100 Indian families who have lived in Londonderry for a number of years may have to leave NI because of changes to the immigration laws.

The families were initially told they could apply for permanent residency before their work permits expired.

However, a change in legislation means they must reapply to the Home Office if they want to remain.

Foyle MP Mark Durkan said this means the families' work visas would expire before they met the new criteria.

"These people are entirely self-supporting, they are working hard and not relying on the benefits system," he said.

"I think there needs to be more work done with these families, these people are going to have to reapply for their permits which they may not get."

G B Martin, who moved to Derry from India three years ago, said leaving the city would mean a lot of upheaval for his whole family.

"We are happy over here, we like it and the kids are settled," he said.

"The children are in the middle of their primary school so they would have to move and go back to another kind of studies, that would be difficult for them."

Under new immigration legislation some people who have lived in the UK under the old rules will be forced to reapply for permits and citizenship.