UK immigration strategy increases risk of exploitation, say charities

30 August 2024: Guardian: UK immigration strategy increases risk of exploitation, say charities

Home secretary urged to to make it easier for undocumented migrants to regularise their immigration status

The government’s policy of ramping up immigration raids and detaining and deporting undocumented migrants is driving more people underground and increasing their risks of exploitation, dozens of charities have warned.

In a letter on Friday, coordinated by Migrant Voice, more than 80 organisations including Care4Calais, City of Sanctuary UK, Anti-Slavery International, Doctors of the World UK and Safe Passage International are calling on the home secretary to make it easier for undocumented migrants to regularise their immigration status so they can work with less risk of falling prey to exploitative employers and human trafficking gangs.

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JCWI statement on the racist attacks across the UK

6 August 2024: JCWI: Our statement on the racist attacks across the UK

The escalation of far-right, racist and Islamophobic violence against our communities in recent days is horrifying. These targeted attacks on migrants, Muslims and people of colour do not occur in isolation – they are the direct result of years of racist, dehumanising policies and language being peddled by our politicians and the media.  

The far right has been emboldened by hateful media narratives and a race to the bottom in migration policies, with established parties battling it out to see who can enact the most cruelly and publicly.  

Now, we see the results – people up and down the country are scared for their lives, terrified that they have a target on their backs because of the colour of their skin or the way they speak. That fear is very real, because the violence is very real. Look at events in Rotherham – an attempt to burn down a hotel housing people seeking sanctuary is an attempted mass murder, and it’s time we named that.  

For too long, politicians and the media have scapegoated our communities to distract from the very real issues we all face. We’re living through a cost-of-living crisis that makes life harder for all of us, huge NHS waiting times and the ever-growing impacts of climate breakdown. Those in power, and those who support them, have preferred to distract us from these issues by demonising people who move, and targeting Muslims and people of colour. 

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Immediately suspend in-person immigration appointments

6 August 2024: It’s a matter of safety

Right to Remain and other organisations are calling on the Home Office to immediately suspend all in-person immigration reporting and all other appointments, on account of the overwhelming fear of violent racist attacks in our communities.

There are people travelling all the way to reporting centres on a weekly basis who are only inside for 2 minutes – and in the current situation this is very stressful. In person reporting should be stopped immediately as it was during Covid for different safety reasons..

Read more: Suspend immigration reporting now!

We call on the Government to actively protect and uphold all of our human rights. 

5 August 2024: Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association – ILPA: ILPA Statement in Response to Racist, Anti-Migrant Violence and the Targeting of Immigration Lawyers

“We condemn, in the strongest terms, the racist, anti-migrant, Islamophobic, and far-right violence and aggression we have witnessed in the past week. It is designed to threaten and intimidate members of our communities.

We stand in solidarity with migrants to this country, including those who have fled dangerous places to seek safety here, only to be met with violence. We stand in solidarity with those targeted based on their appearance. We stand in solidarity with all those who are supporting targeted communities, through the provision of legal and other services. 

We call on the Government to actively protect and uphold all of our human rights. 

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Hate has no place in our communities

5 August 2024: Migrant Voice: It’s time to change the narrative. Hate has no place in our communities

The violence and hate we have seen run riot through our communities with the far right did not come out of nowhere. The tragic and hideous attack against children in Southport has been used as an excuse, but it is just that, an excuse. At a time when we should be thinking about the young children who were brutally murdered, we are faced with far right thugs, as the Prime Minister rightly called them, attacking people on the streets and attempting to burn them where they live.

They have targeted minorities, migrants, people based on skin colour and perceived religion. They are spreading division and hate. Calling for violence against those they perceive as different, but it is our very diversity in this country which will show that they do not stand for the majority of people

We have seen hate like this in the past, and it is in the past which it should remain. Instead though it has been emboldened by years of hostile rhetoric from politicians, and misinformation about migration in the media.

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Official statement on Southport attack and Far Right riots

5th August 2024: Show Racism the Red Card release crucial statements, following the ongoing violence that has occurred the past few days in the UK.

First of all, our Honorary President, Shaka Hislop has important words he would like to share, in light of recent events:

See the website here: https://www.theredcard.org/news/official-statements-on-southport-attack-and-far-right-riots/

Following Shaka’s message, Chief Executive of Show Racism the Red Card, Ged Grebby, shares:

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