Emmanuel, a Christian clergyman from Kaduna, northern Nigeria, was told he would not receive assistance because he had contacted immigration authorities from within the country, instead of at the airport when he arrived.

Opposition politicians said the case highlighted a major flaw in the government's nationality, immigration, and asylum Act, which came into force on January 8. They said Emmanuel could be the first of hundreds of asylum seekers forced to live on the streets.

The clergyman spent his first night sleeping in Glasgow Central rail station after speaking to immigration officials in the city. Castlemilk Church has provided emergency funds to help him while the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) tries to find more permanent support.

Full story:
 http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/archive/17-1-19103-0-4-6.html

Related Links:

Refugee Council’s AGM hears evidence of Government action that has left victims of torture sleeping rough on the streets:
 http://www.asylumsupport.info/victimsoftorture.htm

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act (2002), Full text of the Act:
 http://www.asylumsupport.info/law/act.pdf

Human Rights report on the Nationality, Asylum and Immigration Bill - October 2002:  http://www.asylumsupport.info/humanrightscommittee/twentythirdreport.htm

Extension of UK border controls:
 http://www.asylumsupport.info/ukbordersextended.htm