This is a cruel system. Read Agnes Tanoh’s account:

But I’m dedicated to trying to get people to have compassion for those in detention. I want everyone to understand that these people have left everything; that they’ve been forced to leave everything they’ve ever known – just like I was.

And I will always stand against putting asylum seekers in detention. Anywhere people are saying, ‘Stop detention!’: I will be there saying it right along with them.

17 June 2025: Metro: I followed every rule as an asylum seeker – I was still detained

Once again, I was woken at 4am in my room at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre.

I was put in the back of a van and driven for around six hours to an airport, where I was told I’d be deported.

It’s difficult to describe the stress of that journey – the terror of thinking I was about to be sent back to a country I’d fled; a country I loved, but where I’d surely be put in prison, or killed, if I was to return.

I had to wait around at the airport for hours. During which time, my fear grew. At the end of the day, around 10pm, the officials who’d taken me to the airport said: ‘OK, you’re not going today, after all’. And I was taken all the way back to Yarl’s Wood.

An asylum seeking from Rwanda, on receiving household goods:

“I came with nothing and no money and I am blessed for God has provided.”

This came from ‘Growing Hope – Daily Readings’ from an Iona Community book.

A friend also from Rwanda said:

‘So long as I have a toilet and a cup of tea I am blessed’

May 2025: QARN: Model Letter/email to MPs – Requesting an end to barring individuals who reached the UK through irregular means from ever being granted British citizenship

This is a suggested letter that people and/Meetings may like to send to their MP

Please adapt the message, as you feel led.

Dear ……………..MP,

I am writing to express grave concern regarding the recently updated guidelines that prevent individuals who arrived in the UK by irregular routes from ever being granted British citizenship. The Refugee Convention to which the UK is a signatory recognises that people seeking asylum may need to arrive through irregular routes, and this is especially the case when countries like our own do not provide safe and regular options for people who need protection.

May 2025: Restoring Control over the Immigration System

White Paper:  This is the White paper: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821aec3f16c0654b19060ac/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper.pdf

PM’s speech: This is what the Government said about it:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-remarks-at-immigration-white-paper-press-conference-12-may-2025

Responses from Migrant Voice, Right to Remain, BID below :

21 April 2025: Guardian (thank you once more Diane Taylor) Ten assaults a day on asylum seekers in Home Office care, figures reveal

Exclusive: There were 380 safeguarding referrals of victims of hate crimes from January 2023 to August 2024

The Home Office is recording an average of 10 assaults a day on asylum seekers in its care, according to internal government data, amid harsh government rhetoric on those crossing the Channel.

5 April 2025: We were joined at our meeting today by our speaker Moud Goba from the amazing organisation Micro Rainbow, and some members of Quaker Rainbow.

Vision​: Micro Rainbow’s vision is to create a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people are safe, free from discrimination, persecution and have equal opportunities in life, including in accessing employment, training, financial services and housing.

Mission: Micro Rainbow’s mission is to create opportunities for LGBTQI people to fulfil their potential in life and create innovative models for social change that are sustainable, scalable and replicable.