7. Immigration—Fraudulent Visas and International StudentsDENISE ROCHE (Green) to the Minister of ImmigrationImmigration—Fraudulent Visas and International Students7. DENISE ROCHE (Green) to the Minister of Immigration: What steps if any did Immigration New Zealand take to ensure validity of the visas of the nine students currently seeking sanctuary in a church including any interviews with these students to determine the accuracy of their application before they came to New Zealand?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Minister of Immigration): This may be a little longer than most primary answers. I beg your indulgence. I am not aware of the exact numbers or identities of the individuals currently inside a church in Auckland so my answer is in respect of the nine Indian students the subject of recent media unlawfully in New Zealand who were represented by Mr Alastair McClymont and whose requests to stay in New Zealand were declined. I am aware two of those individuals have departed New Zealand voluntarily and I understand some of the remaining seven are amongst those inside the church. Time prevents a detailed description of each step in each application but the steps would include an immigration officer checking that the applicant had made a declaration on the form that amongst other statements includes: I have provided true and correct answers to the questions in this form. I understand that if false or misleading information is submitted my application may be declined without further warning." Another step would be to check that on the completion of the statement "I have attached evidence that I have access to sufficient funds to support myself through my intended stay."—of the nine individuals represented by Mr McClymont six were interviewed either in person or by phone to discuss their studies and several of those students were asked directly about their financial documents. The questions included the purpose of gaining qualifications a test of their understanding of the tertiary institution they planned to enrol in and of New Zealand generally and questions of the applicant's bona fides—that is their intentions on the completion of their studies.Denise Roche: Why did the Minister claim on Radio New Zealand on 3 February that "Immigration agents will interview them check and confirm that they understand." when Immigration New Zealand records show that three of the students were not interviewed and two other interviews were conducted with education agents posing as the students?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: The questioner asked about immigration agents. I presume she means immigration officers. My answer was in respect of the process generally not exhaustively. In respect of the three who were not specifically interviewed—it is not a requirement—the explanations that were given in the applications were considered to be satisfactory and consistent with what one would expect and no interview was required. But as I said six of the nine were indeed interviewed. Denise Roche: I would like to table this document. It contains information collated by the lawyer of the five students and is a summary of Immigration New Zealand records of the visa processes for all nine students. It contains specific dates and notes about which students—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The document has been well and truly described. I will put the leave. Leave is sought to table—Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Speaking to the question first can I ascertain whether or not the permission of the applicants has been granted for that private information to be released? Mr SPEAKER: Can the member assist with that?Denise Roche: My understanding is—through their lawyer—yes it has.Mr SPEAKER: I will put the leave. It will be for the House to decide. Leave is sought to table that particular information. Is there any objection? There is objection.Denise Roche: What message does it send to people who want to study and eventually settle in New Zealand that this Government is more interested in the profits of educational providers and immigration agents than in supporting the victims of fraud?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: The broader message is this: there are around 125000 student visas granted every year and the overwhelming majority of those applicants provide applications that are true in all respects. They come here to get a world-class education and overwhelmingly they go home satisfied with their experience. I think that is still the message that it sends. Denise Roche: Why is his Government happy to use discretion to grant citizenship to non-resident billionaires but refuses to show compassion for students who have paid thousands of dollars of fees and who simply want to finish their education?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: That is probably a question best directed to the Minister of Internal Affairs given that he or she would be granting citizenship—Hon Annette King: "He or she"—what is it? Is he a he or a she?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Well I go back in time. I say "he or she" because the person the subject of that question was granted conditional residence in 2006 by Labour under the far flimsier immigration instructions that existed at that time including for money and time in country. That applicant did not commit fraud on either of those applications and I think that is the significant difference.Denise Roche: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would like the question answered which was about the compassion shown to students who are—Mr SPEAKER: Order! No. [Interruption] Order! The question was well and truly addressed. It was significantly involved then with response to an interjection. It has been addressed."