First Point International gets warning from the US
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CM INVESTIGATION ml by Melanie Hammond
First Point International's (FPI) USA truck drivers' programme is under threat this week after US immigration authorities warned the company to "cease and desist" from some of its activities.
In a letter addressed to FPI president David Webster and vice-president Philip Lyons on 1 November, the US Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service warned the company to stop advising clients to enter the USA as visitors for business or pleasure when their main reason for entry is to attend a truck drivers' training course.
FPI was also advised to refrain from advertising the programme and from entering into any further contracts with clients. If it ignores this advice FPI could find its activities under scrutiny for "visa fraud, false statements and telemarketing fraud".
The UK Department of Trade and Industry has confirmed it is aware of this letter, but while it sends a strong message to
FPI, its contents are not legally binding on a UK company.
FPI claims it can provide "everything you need to start a new life in the USA" including "that
crucial Green Card". But William Forrester from the US Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service warns that as things stand no Green Cards will be issued to any clients through the truck drivers' programme.
Forrester claims that FPI has been trying to obtain Green Cards for truck drivers under the E31 visa classification for skilled workers. But he adds: "The United States Department of Labor classifies truck drivers as unskilled, and the waiting list for UK citizens is currently six years."
Last week FPI was still advertising its programme ir the national press and on its website; some drivers were still convinced that they were close to securing permanent residency abroad—FPI had not informed them of any potential difficulties.
This news ends months of speculation and might leave many FPI clients with their dreams in tatters. Earlier this year FPI claimed that more than 200 clients were participating in the truck drivers' programme with each applicant paying about £5,500 in advance.
The price of the programme means that many clients opt to take out a finance agreement with FPI's sister company, First Point Finance.
Some drivers are frustrated by US immigration regulations and insist that US companies are "crying out for drivers". But the US authorities maintain that drivingjobs can be filled by US citizens.
It is also reported that US drivers' unions such as the Teamsters are strongly opposed to aliens filling driver vacancies.
a First Point International has issued the following statement: "As a resat of defamatory remarks made to the INS about our company we have received a letter from the INS notifying us that they are seeking clarification of administrative and legal issues relating to the visa applications made by our truck driver clients.
"No notification has been received that our truck driver clients will not be issued with Green Cards, First Point is not in breach of any law in the UK or USA and remains confident of the success of the Truck Drivers' Programme.
"Mr Webster and Mr Burman are not in breach of any order made against them. We have no knowledge of a winding up petition being issued against any First Point company."