By Ebere Godson
In a sudden shift in immigration policy, Northern Cyprus is leaving countless Nigerian students and other foreign nationals in a state of limbo as they face the prospect of deportation. Recent immigration raids by the police have led to the detention of many foreign students who find themselves entangled in a maze of bureaucratic uncertainties.
In the past, students caught on illegal stays were often given time in detention to rectify their status by renewing their resident permits. However, this time around, the government’s approach has taken a disconcerting turn, leaving these individuals in the dark despite efforts by their legal representatives to secure their release.
A detainee who wishes to remain anonymous revealed, “I have been locked up for a month now, along with many others. We’ve started the resident permit process, with just medical examinations pending at a state-sanctioned lab. However, every time the test day arrives, no one comes to take us. Our lawyer informed us about a new government rule mandating deportation instead of permit renewal. The judge warned us that if the government doesn’t authorize the medical exams, we will all face deportation starting November 1st.” Notably, this date has been disputed by Ramadan Sanıvar, a prominent lawyer handling foreign student cases, including immigration matters.
This unexpected turn of events has left many Nigerian and foreign students incarcerated in the Lefkosia central prison feeling disheartened and abandoned. Some have reportedly expended substantial sums, exceeding 3,000 euros, in school fees and legal fees in an effort to secure their release, with little success. The sudden shift in government policy caught many off guard, leaving them frustrated, financially burdened, and searching for elusive solutions.
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Under Northern Cyprus law, foreign students are required to re-enroll in school annually before they can renew their visas, causing financial strain for many. Some resort to temporary employment in sectors like restaurants, construction, and furniture shops to sustain their studies.
However, the challenge arises from the mismatch between wages in Turkish Lira and university fees in dollars or euros, depending on the institution. This leaves many Nigerian and African students grappling with financial hurdles, as returning home proves financially prohibitive due to soaring flight ticket costs, often surpassing half the fees required for school registration and visa renewal.
Speculation has arisen among foreign students, suggesting that the influx of Russian, Ukrainian, and Iranian investors has diminished the Northern Cyprus government’s regard for students from certain countries. Recent reports indicate a substantial surge in property acquisition by foreign investors, with over 2,672 land acquisition licenses granted. Property prices in some regions have increased significantly, with apartments in the Iskele area now commanding around 100,000 pounds, marking a dramatic escalation in real estate values.
Parallel Facts reached out to lawyer Ramadan Sanıvar, who provided insights into the situation.
He said, “They are not saying they will deport them after November 1; they are saying the prison authority doesn’t allow them to go to the hospital for medical examinations. The government aims to deport illegal residents to reduce the costly burden on the prison system.” He highlighted the government’s influence on the prison authority’s decisions, emphasizing the goal of deportation. While this approach is legally sound, it raises concerns about the treatment of young students striving to continue their education.
As Nigerian and other foreign students await their fate, the immigration police continue raids, inspecting the immigration status of foreign students street by street. Despite the unfolding crisis, no statements have been issued by human rights organizations or universities in Northern Cyprus.
The situation raises questions about the perception of illegal immigrants in the country, whether they are viewed as individuals facing systemic challenges beyond their control or as moral offenders.
The future remains uncertain for these detained students, and the situation underscores the pressing need for awareness and possible solutions in the evolving immigration landscape of Northern Cyprus.