Yesterday’s announcement from the government is a point of shame in the UK’s history.
For refugees, a 20-year waiting period means 20 years of living in limbo. Every day we speak to guests who have gone on to form relationships, study, start businesses and invest in their lives here. This policy takes away the prospect of stability for many refugees, introducing unnecessary anxiety and uncertainty for people who just want to settle down in safety. Determining which country is and isn’t ‘safe’ poses a huge range of risks and uncertainties.
The situation in many of our guests’ countries of origin can change overnight, and what’s safe for many of us isn’t the case for many of our guests, particularly those who were already minorities before becoming refugees. We know that refugees already face discrimination in employment and housing, something that will only get worse by extending the period when they could be asked to leave the country at a moment’s notice. Rather than being able to support themselves independently, these proposals will worsen the destitution and poverty experienced across the country.
We urge the government to listen to the concerns of those affected, and the organisations that support them, and fulfil their obligations to help people seeking sanctuary live here in safety, stability, and dignity. In these uncertain times, there is strength in solidarity, and if any of our hosts, guests, referrers, or home visitors have any concerns, they are always welcome to get in touch. Lauren Scott, Chief Executive Officer
Yesterday’s announcement from the government is a point of shame in the UK’s history.
We urge the government to listen to the concerns of those affected and fulfil their obligations to help people seeking sanctuary live here in safety and dignity.
Read our response to the Home Secretary:
