Days following the tragic deaths of a child and two women during an attempt to reach the UK shores, Keir Starmer has announced the termination of what he refers to as refugees’ “golden ticket.”
This decision entails eliminating the opportunity for individuals who have lost their homes to establish a stable life with their families. The existing refugee protection systems are deemed inadequate, leaving individuals at the mercy of perilous waters and busy shipping routes.
The proposed changes are set to close the slender ray of hope at the end of the dark tunnel that refugees are confronted with. By ending family reunification, the likelihood of more children perishing in the Channel increases. Statistics reveal that a significant portion (56%) of those reuniting with refugee families are children, with 37% being women. The potential consequences of removing this safe pathway are deeply troubling.
Moreover, the abolition of settlement provisions could result in individuals residing in a state of uncertainty, awaiting validation based on their contributions. These are the very individuals the Government claims to safeguard — genuine refugees who have fled war or endured torture, navigating the complexities of attaining refugee status.
Having spent nearly two decades working within the asylum system, it is evident that most individuals aspire to two fundamental desires: the ability to work and reunite with their families. These aspirations serve as a beacon of hope throughout the prolonged waiting periods, during which they are often prohibited from working to sustain themselves.
Upon obtaining refugee status, they are mandated to wait ten years, as opposed to the previous five, before being eligible for indefinite residency. Many refugees are confronted with the grim reality of never being granted citizenship.
This strategy erects additional barriers to integration within our communities. Refugees possess immense potential to enrich and contribute to our society, given their remarkable resilience.
Nevertheless, our commitment to providing sanctuary should not be contingent on what individuals can offer us. The act of welcoming Ukrainian refugees was driven by altruism and a moral obligation, rather than an expectation of reciprocation.
While many take pride in our history of safeguarding those in peril, the current administration appears resolute in dismantling this ethos. In doing so, they not only jeopardize the lives of refugees but also tarnish the very essence of our national identity.