UK Historian Faces Deportation Over Research-Related Travel

 A distinguished historian faces deportation from the UK after the Home Office ruled that she had exceeded the permitted number of days spent abroad while conducting essential academic research in India.

Manikarnika Dutta, 37, undertook this research as part of her academic commitments to the University of Oxford, where she analyzed historical archives across Indian cities and participated in international conferences.

Under current Home Office regulations, individuals applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK based on long-term residency must not have spent more than 548 days abroad in the decade preceding their application. Dutta, however, had been outside the UK for 691 days, primarily due to her research obligations. This issue has affected several academics, highlighting concerns about the rigidity of these immigration rules.

In addition to rejecting her ILR application on residency grounds, the Home Office also denied her right to remain on the basis that she lacks a "family life" in the UK—despite having been married for over a decade and living with her husband, Dr. Souvik Naha, in South London.

Academic Contributions and Professional Standing

Currently an Assistant Professor at University College Dublin’s School of History, Dutta previously conducted research at the University of Oxford and the University of Bristol. Her husband, Dr. Souvik Naha, is a Senior Lecturer in Imperial and Post-Colonial History at the University of Glasgow. The couple resides in Welling, South London.

“I was shocked when I received an email telling me I had to leave,” Dutta told The Observer. “I have worked at multiple UK universities and lived here for 12 years. A significant part of my adult life has been spent in this country since coming to Oxford for my master’s. I never imagined something like this could happen to me.”

Dutta first arrived in the UK in September 2012 on a student visa. She later obtained a spouse visa as a dependent of her husband, who was granted entry under the ‘global talent’ visa scheme.

Legal and Institutional Challenges

Dutta’s lawyer, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, emphasized that her time abroad was not discretionary but an academic necessity:

“These research trips were not optional but essential for fulfilling her academic and institutional obligations. Without them, she would not have been able to complete her thesis, meet the academic standards of her institutions, or maintain her visa status.”

In October 2024, Dutta applied for ILR based on long-term residence, alongside her husband. While his application was approved, hers was denied. She then sought an administrative review, but the Home Office upheld its initial rejection.

The Home Office’s final determination stated:

“You must now leave the United Kingdom. If you do not leave voluntarily, you may be subject to a 10-year re-entry ban and prosecution for overstaying.”

Impact and Wider Repercussions

The decision has sparked significant concern within the academic community, with many colleagues voicing their support.

“This decision has been incredibly stressful for both of us,” said Dr. Naha. “It has taken a psychological toll. I have lectured on these very issues and read about affected individuals—but I never imagined we would experience it ourselves.”

Kandiah has now launched a legal challenge against the Home Office’s ruling. In response, the Home Office has agreed to reconsider the case within the next three months, though there remains a possibility that the original decision could still be upheld. Until then, Dutta remains in legal limbo.

Implications for UK’s Academic Landscape

Kandiah argues that this case highlights a broader issue with UK immigration policies and their potential impact on academia:

“My client’s case exemplifies how such rigid enforcement undermines the UK’s global reputation and its ability to attract and retain world-class academic talent—particularly at a time when strengthening international collaborations is crucial.”

“If the UK aspires to be a global leader in academia and innovation, it must cultivate a more inclusive and supportive environment for top scholars. Without such an approach, UK universities will continue to lose highly skilled PhD researchers, despite investing years of resources, expertise, and funding in their development.”

A Home Office spokesperson, responding to inquiries, stated:

“It is longstanding government policy that we do not routinely comment on individual cases.”

As the legal battle continues, Dutta’s future—and the broader impact of such immigration policies on UK academia—remains uncertain.