Refugees & Asylum seekers

A refugee is the name offered to an asylum seeker who has been granted leave to remain.

The UK has always been regarded as a safe and welcoming country to those who maybe fleeing persecution in their home country. Under international law, anyone has the right to apply for asylum in the UK and to remain here until the authorities have assessed their asylum application. Countless millions of lives have been saved as a result of the 1951 Refugee Convention which guarantees the right to apply for asylum.

In the UK there has been much media coverage on the issue with some claims of ‘bogus’ asylum seekers coming to the UK for purely economic reasons. However the stories of those who are seeking asylum are rarely heard in order to dispel such myths.
The cultural & economical enrichment offered by refugees is clear to see, from doctors & nurses to shopkeepers & restaurant owners. It is important therefore that we continue to challenge the negative hype that may impact on the quality of life for those going through the process of seeking asylum.

Legislation

In June 2005 The Immigration and Asylum Bill was put before Parliament to become law. The legislation would bring in a quicker appeals asylum and immigration system, limiting the right of appeal against visa refusals for students, workers and family visits. It would also allow for the introduction of a points system for economic migrants and link the numbers admitted to economic needs. Civil penalties would be imposed for employing illegal immigrants.

If the bill becomes law there is an intention to stop granting indefinite leave to remain (ILR) to recognised refugees and introduce an integration loan to replace the integration grant for people recognized as refugees.

Furthermore there will be measures to further strengthen border controls by fingerprinting all visa applications and sharing this information across boarders and carrying out electronic checks on people entering and leaving the country.

Regional

For latest information in the South West go to our networks (age, disability, gender, race, faith and sexual orientation).