Sir,

You may be aware that from this month the government begins issuing what it calls, with an obvious nasty spin, "ID cards for foreigners". You may not be aware what this means for Leeds. First affected will be students and those marrying Britons. The plan is that gradually residents from outside Europe will be fingerprinted and have to account for their movements. (Later, so would we all.)

This is unlikely to put off refugees and the poor unskilled with nothing to lose. But successful foreigners such as Luciano Becchio and the overseas students at University of Leeds and Leeds Met University have a lot of choice where they study or exercise their talents. Some will decide Britain has become too unfriendly. When the US introduced more hostile visa conditions 3-4 years ago, the numbers applying to study there fell by 15% and Bill Gates complained that Microsoft could no longer hire some of the best software engineers.

If this scheme is continued it will lead to less fee-income and lower international status for University of Leeds and Leeds Met. British students will have to pay higher tuition to make up, and will have less money to spend with local businesses. Fewer of the world's star performers in every field will choose to make their homes here than do now.

We the undersigned value the contribution that these gifted people currently make to our institutions and our society. We think our country should treat them as guests, not criminal suspects. "ID cards for foreigners" is not just a small-minded slogan - The Leeds district will suffer culturally and economically.

Yours faithfully

Greg Mulholland MP,
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for, Leeds North West.

Lewis Coakley,
President, on behalf of the
Students' Union, Leeds Met University.

Laura McFarlane-Shopes,
Communications and Internal Affairs Officer on behalf of the
Leeds University Union.

Clive Hudson,
Branch Secretary on behalf of the
Leeds & Bradford Universities Branch of UNITE the Union.

Ann Blair,
President, on behalf of the
University of Leeds University and Colleague Union.

Patrick Murhpy,
Division Secretary of Leeds National Union of Teachers and NUT National Executive member for West Yorkshire.

Cllr Richard Brett,
Councillor for Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Ward.
Leader of Leeds Liberal Democrat Group.

Dr Martin Hemingway,
Green Party lead candidate for the 2009 European elections.

James Elsdon-Baker,
Regional Yorkshire coordinator NO2ID campaign.

Cllr Jamie Matthews,
Councillor Headingley Ward.

Sarah Keywood,
President on behalf of the
Liberty@leeds Student Society.

Amy Williams,
Treasurer
Liberty@Leeds Student Society.

Maya Wolfe-Robinson,
General Secetary
Liberty@Leeds Student Society.

Cllr Sue Bentley,
Councillor Weetwood Ward.

Cllr Ben Chastney,
Councillor Weetwood Ward.

Cllr James Monaghan,
Headingley Ward Councillor.

Dr Carole McCartney
Lecturer of Law

Maryam Ahmad
Leeds University Union Equality & Diversity Officer
Leeds University Union,

Cllr Steve Smith,
Councillor for Rothwell Ward

Nadine Omotese
Leeds NO2ID coordinator