The UK government is directly reaching out to tens of thousands of international students with a warning to leave the country once their visas expire or risk deportation, the BBC reported on Tuesday. According to the report, the Home Office has launched a new campaign to address what it calls a “worrying” surge in student visa holders seeking to remain in the UK by filing asylum claims. For the first time, officials are sending text messages and emails to students, issuing formal notices about the penalties for overstaying. The initiative comes amid mounting concern in Whitehall over the increasing use of the asylum system by students attempting to extend their stay after completing their studies. “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you,” the messages read, as reported by BBC. According to Home Office data, around 15 per cent of asylum applications last year—approximately 16,000—were submitted by people who originally arrived on student visas. While the data does not specify how many of those were made after visas had expired, officials say the pattern is clear enough to warrant immediate action. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that some students are “claiming asylum even when things have not changed in their home country.” She added, “We obviously will do our bit to support genuine refugees, but if nothing has changed in their country, people should not be claiming asylum at the end of a student course.” Cooper also said the growing number of students entering the asylum system is placing added pressure on already overstretched asylum accommodation and hotel services. Around 10,000 students whose visas are nearing expiry have already received direct warnings. A further 130,000 students and their families are expected to be contacted in the coming months, coinciding with the busy autumn intake period, according to the BBC. The message being sent reads in full, “If you submit an asylum claim that lacks merit, it will be swiftly and robustly refused. “Any request for asylum support will be assessed against destitution criteria. If you do not meet the criteria, you will not receive support. “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you,” as reported by BBC. The message being sent reads in full, “If you submit an asylum claim that lacks merit, it will be swiftly and robustly refused. “Any request for asylum support will be assessed against destitution criteria. If you do not meet the criteria, you will not receive support. “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you,” as reported by BBC.