This week, the Home Secretary announced major changes to the asylum system, representing one of the most significant overhauls in human rights protections in decades.
The requirement to renew leave every two and a half years, combined with a twenty-year wait for settlement, will create huge challenges for people to work, secure stable housing, rebuild their lives. These measures risk causing serious harm to the mental health of those seeking refuge in our country.
We are aware of the harm these announcements will have, causing deep worry and anxiety for many people seeking refuge in the UK.
At Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum, our focus is to welcome refugees and asylum seekers, support them to receive fair and compassionate treatment and provide the support they need to rebuild their lives. And we’re not going to stop doing that.
Every individual who comes to us for support has their own story and has faced unimaginable challenges. We believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, humanity and compassion, and we urge the government to uphold these values in all decisions made about people seeking sanctuary.