American teacher Expelled from Hungary

An American teacher at a Budapest high school has been expelled from Hungary despite having lived in the country for a decade.

Author

Andrew Davison
November 21, 2024

According to a letter from the school's principal to parents and students, the teacher fulfilled all societal obligations and maintained a stable living situation. However, the denial of their residency permit renewal resulted from procedural errors related to the order of submitted documents.

Immediate Consequences

The expelled teacher had to leave Hungary and the European Union immediately. They can only apply for the revocation of their expulsion and subsequently reapply for a residency permit, although the timeline for this process remains uncertain. The school administration expects that the teacher may be absent for a period ranging from three weeks to two months, during which they will seek qualified substitutes.

The principal expressed bewilderment regarding the expulsion process, stating that the teacher, a qualified and law-abiding individual contributing significantly to the community, faced an unjust outcome. The letter highlights the importance of the teacher's role for the students and the school community.

Government Response

Efforts to gather information from the school principal, the affected teacher, and the OIF have been made. While the principal declined to comment due to the ongoing nature of the case, the OIF provided general information but did not disclose specifics about the situation.

The OIF indicated that Hungary has stringent immigration laws compared to other EU countries. Applications are often rejected if they don't meet established legal criteria. An expiring residency status mandates an immediate departure from the country, and individual cases are reviewed in accordance with existing laws.

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