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What is the problem?
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We will leave it to the legal experts to decide if any of the acts of violence we have seen on our streets meet the legal definition of terrorism, but we were certainly left terrorised. Like many in the migrants’ rights sector, we spent last week fearful for the safety and well-being of those we support and our colleagues.
Finding words of reassurance was not easy, given people of colour were the focus of the explosion of anger and violence, and given the level of constant insecurity experienced by anyone whose future in the UK lies in the hands of the Home Office.
We Belong is apolitical and we work with politicians of all stripes. Our most recent parliamentary event – held just before the election was announced – was hosted by Labour, Conservative and Liberal-Dem MPs. Each of them spoke powerfully about why a sense of belonging is important to everyone and supported our calls for reform.
We hope the change of government will mark an end to the inflammatory political rhetoric which recent events have shown endangers all people of colour. But actions speak louder than words. It is not just racist right-wing thugs who send the message that, whatever our immigration status, people of colour don’t truly belong in the UK.
The Home Office's Complicity
Although we have grown up in the UK, we get the same message from the Home Office policies that we as young migrants have to battle with every day of our lives.
- The message that we don’t belong is clear in the 540% hike in the fees we have to pay to maintain our lawful status - a level of increase which would cause an outcry if applied to any other government service.
- It is clear in the lack of fee waivers for indefinite leave to remain applications, which leaves those of us who can’t afford to pay these spiralling costs stuck on an endless loop of Home Office renewals, despite qualifying for permanent status.
- The message was clear to those of us who discovered at age 18 that, despite going to primary school, secondary school and sixth form, in the UK, our immigration status meant we were categorised as ‘international students’, denied a student loan and liable to pay university fees many times those charged to ‘home students’.
- It was clear when the Home Office introduced the Immigration Health Surcharge, effectively a double tax for anyone paying UK income tax and National Insurance, and justified the charge on the basis those paying it were only ‘temporary migrants’.
- It was clear when the Home Office (unsuccessfully) went to court to try to avoid making a simple administrative change which would make it so much easier for young migrants like us to prove our lawful status to employers, landlords and others.
- It was clear when we learned a Home Secretary can strip a young person who was born in the UK and been British since birth of their citizenship and leave them effectively stateless if they have migrant parents.
Racial justice and justice for migrants are inseparable. A fair and humane immigration system is essential in respecting the dignity and humanity of every individual, regardless of race or background. The recent shocking events have highlighted the urgent need for systemic change. The only fitting response is one of solidarity and renewed commitment; it is imperative that we expand and intensify our efforts to ensure racial justice for all people of colour in the UK.
We hope you will join us.
As a modest first, and do-able step, we call on Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to adopt We Belong’s manifesto.
1) An immediate freeze on spiralling Home Office fees
2) An urgent review of the impact of recent fee increases, to create a fairer, more certain route to settlement
3) Extension of fee waivers to indefinite leave to remain applications, to ensure those on lowest incomes are not locked out of securing their futures; and a review of the fairness of the existing fee waiver scheme.