Today (August 21st) the Home Office has announced plans for a major new drive in immigration enforcement and returns activity, which it says will significantly increase the number of removals of people with a ‘failed asylum claim’.
NACCOM’s response is below;
“Instead of prioritising enforcement, detention and removals, it’s vital that the Government creates an asylum system that treats people fairly and humanely, by ensuring they can access justice through quality legal advice, processing claims in a timely and orderly way and, crucially, supporting people at each stage of the asylum process to understand and fully explore their options.”
“This must include supporting people with an unsuccessful asylum claim to understand all the options available to them. We know from our frontline network that many people who have been refused asylum face multiple barriers to further progressing their claim and moving forward, including problems accessing legal advice, and clear and accessible information following a refusal. This can be a deeply traumatic and confusing time for so many – the Government needs to urgently address the injustice, inaccuracy and support needs in the current system, rather than simply detain and remove people.”
“In the wake of the far-right violence and riots that targeted people seeking asylum, as well as organisations supporting them, we are also concerned by the rhetoric coming from this Government. The focus should be on bringing communities and the country together for a different way forward – one that is compassionate and united.”
Related links:
➡️ New report | Refused? Experiences following a negative asylum decision – NACCOM
➡️ Blog | We have a new Government – so what now? – NACCOM
➡️ Together with Refugees | Joint statement in response to the anti-migrant riots – NACCOM
