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How Quakers can respond to the government’s new immigration plan

We will keep updating this page with useful information and advice.

8 April 2021: Quaker.org: The Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network explore the UK government’s new immigration plan and outline what Quakers can do to respond.

At the heart of our Quaker testimonies lie equality, peace, truth, justice and simplicity. The government’s latest immigration proposals challenge each of these values.

It’s ok to look at the consultation on the UK government’s New Plan for Immigration and not know where to start. Alongside a seemingly overwhelming list of new policies, there is confusing disparity in the plan between words and policy.

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Teenage refugee killed himself in UK after mental health care failings

8 April 2021: Guardian: Coroner rules seriousness of Mulubrhane Medhane Kfleyosus’s illness went unrecognised

A teenage refugee killed himself after the serious nature of his mental illness was not recognised, a coroner has concluded.

Mulubrhane Medhane Kfleyosus, 19, was the fourth from his friendship group of Eritrean refugees to take his own life within a 16-month period after arriving in the UK.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/apr/07/teenage-refugee-killed-himself-uk-mental-health-care-failings

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Concerns about the use of army barracks etc.

This post is being updated with reports of atrocities around the army camp accommodation, and other Home Office plans to accommodate people in new sites:

Penally camp is apparently shutting permanently, due in part to pressure from Welsh MPs. The Home Office will continue to use Napier camp for now.. You can write to your MP in support of the #CloseTheBarracks campaign.

Updated 8 April 2021: Guardian: Asylum seekers told they will stay at Napier barracks for months

Home Office letter says new arrivals will reside at controversial site for at least 60 to 90 days despite legal fight

Asylum seekers being moved into the Napier barracks site in Kent have been told they will reside at the former military facility for at least two to three more months, the Guardian understands, as a number of legal challenges are poised to be heard.

Men who are being held in hotels, as well as some new arrivals in the UK, have received letters from the Home Office telling them they will be moved into the barracks on Friday and that “it is anticipated you will reside at Napier for between 60 and 90 days”.

The Home Office has previously said the former Ministry of Defence site was being used as “temporary, contingency accommodation” for asylum seekers who would eventually be moved to dispersal accommodation such as a house or flat.

The Guardian understands that among those who will be sent there this week are men who have previously stayed in the barracks, including an asylum seeker who spent two months in Napier, left in December and has stayed in a hotel since, still waiting to hear about his asylum claim.

Continue reading “Concerns about the use of army barracks etc.”
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New Plan for Immigration

We will be posting various questions, thoughts, information, ideas here in the run up to 6 May 2021 when the New Immigration Plan consultation ends, see here: Government Consultation process announced – responses to be filed by 6 May 2021 11.45pm: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/new-plan-for-immigration

8 April 2021: Update: See also: https://www.quaker.org.uk/blog/how-quakers-can-respond-to-the-government-s-new-immigration-plan

3 April 2021: David Forbes looks at The Immigration Plan and the “Sovereign Borders” Bill:

We have all, individually and severally, been invited to respond to a Consultation about Priti Patel’s immigration plan over the next few weeks. But we are not invited to challenge the title  “Sovereign Borders” attached to the Bill which will emerge after the Consultation. Nor are we invited to question whether “sovereign borders” is an appropriate concept to apply to complex issues of migration and asylum which are defined in customary international law.

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In advance of the new overhaul the immigration system:

24 March 2021 The Home Office MP Account Management Team: “We are fixing a broken asylum system and creating a new one which will be fairer and firmer and compassionate towards those who need our help.“

Government Consultation process announced – responses to be filed by 6 May 2021 11.45pm: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/new-plan-for-immigration

Priti Patel’s statement today: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/home-secretarys-statement-on-the-new-plan-for-immigration

This post will be updated with reports from some organisations considering the plan

1 April 2021: The Tablet: Jesuit Refugee Service: Why the new immigration plan is cruel and inhumane by Sarah Teather

Continue reading “In advance of the new overhaul the immigration system:”
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There are two films here: ‘Suspended’, and ‘Roots’

These films are short, and ‘Roots’ in particular will be very appropriate for adults, but also for showing in schools.

Inscape Animations is a group of three women who use the medium of film to address global issues such as war, migration and climate change. Throu​gh a combination of sound, image and words, we aim to explore complex ideas and challenge xenophobic narratives.

There are two films: ‘Suspended’, and ‘Roots’

You can see the films here: Inscape Animations: http://inscapeanimations.com

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Concert for Hope on Tuesday 23rd March, 19:00-20:30

UK Welcomes Refugees – the recording will be here

A special celebration of welcome and hope, featuring outstanding Syrian musicians and stories of welcome through Community Sponsorship. Join on Tuesday 23rd March for a very special celebration of Syria’s rich culture, music and people. Featuring Ahmad al-Rashid and Nour Sakr as live hosts throughout, this free online concert includes breath-taking musical performances from some of the most outstanding Syrian musicians in the UK:
Maya Youssef (qanun), Adnan Shamdin (tambur), Mariela Shaker (violin) Riyad Nicolas (piano), Osama and Hatem Kiwan (voice and keyboard), Raghad Haddad (viola) and Rihab Azar (oud).

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A Letter to the People of the UK

16 March 2021: Hasting Community of Sanctuary: Speaking from the Heart about Napier Barracks

Erfan – a former resident held in Napier Barracks for nearly 6 months, and who was one of the nearly 200 people who contracted Covid in the massive outbreak in the barracks in January has written a powerful letter to the People of the UK. We are honoured to share it here.

The letter can also be found here: Help Refugees: https://helprefugees.org/news/a-letter-to-the-people-of-the-uk-from-a-former-resident-of-napier-barracks/

A Letter to the People of the UK

Dear People of the UK,

You may know me from the letters which were written on behalf of the Napier barracks residents. I am now outside of the camp and cannot talk on behalf of my other friends. However, I personally would like to say a few important things about what I have seen and learnt during my stay at Napier Barracks and the United Kingdom.

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Waiting for Nothing

17 March 2021 StatusNow4All: Waiting for years – then told we must reply in 10 days!

People are telling us that they have recently received letters asking them to resubmit their original application for asylum or Further Leave to Remain and any updating evidence, within 10 days, or their case will be determined on the basis of documents already in the Home Office. The Home Office has told another person’s solicitor that they have lost the casefile.

We raise the following points:

Continue reading “Waiting for Nothing”