American teacher faces expulsion from Hungary after a 10-year career in Budapest

An American teacher with a decade-long career at a secondary school in Budapest has been expelled by Hungary’s National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) due to a procedural error in renewing his residence permit. Despite his longstanding contribution to the local community and education system, the teacher was forced to leave Hungary and the EU immediately, highlighting the rigidity of Hungary’s strict immigration laws.

American teacher expelled from the country

As reported by Telex, an American teacher working at a secondary school in Budapest has been expelled by National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF), despite having lived in the country for a decade. According to a letter from the school principal to parents and students, the American teacher resides in a local apartment and has been a longstanding educator in Budapest. The expulsion stemmed from a procedural error during the renewal of his residence permit. The head teacher explained that documentation was submitted in an incorrect sequence, leading to the application’s automatic rejection.

What will happen now?

The American teacher was required to leave Hungary and the EU immediately, with the option to apply for the ban to be lifted before reapplying for a residence permit. The duration of this process is uncertain, but the school estimates the teacher’s absence will last between three weeks and two months. In the meantime, the school is working to secure professional substitutes to manage the unfortunate situation. The head teacher criticised the procedure, calling it “totally pointless and incomprehensible.” The head teacher writes the following in an open letter:

The fact that the teacher has been teaching in Hungary for 10 years, that he has a public service of great importance to the Hungarian state and society in a field of shortage, that he is a graduate teacher with no criminal record, a decent background and a decent living, is obviously not a factor. We will do our utmost, we will do everything we can to ensure that the teacher can get back to work as soon as possible because his work and his precense are of the utmost importance to our community and our students.

Photo: depositphotos.com

Strict immigration laws

The head teacher declined to comment as the matter is ongoing, and the American teacher has not responded to Telex’s inquiries. However, the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) provided a general statement, emphasising that Hungary enforces some of the strictest immigration rules among EU Member States. They noted that applications are automatically rejected if they fail to meet legal requirements, with no room for discretion.

OIF explained that foreign nationals losing their residency rights must leave Hungary immediately, as mandated by national and EU laws. They highlighted that the expulsion period is determined case-by-case, factoring in individual circumstances. While the expelled individual can seek remedies or reapply for residency under specific legal conditions, these steps must align with existing legislation.

Read also:

• Record number of Hungarian students flee the country for higher education abroad
• Hungary’s push for Erasmus, Horizon access: Minister accuses Brussels of blocking youth and researchers

Featured image: illustration, depositphotos.com