We need regularisation for undocumented migrants, not returns

We need regularisation for undocumented migrants, not returns

The reasons people become undocumented can be varied, but people do not choose it. Many of those who are undocumented in the UK have become so through no fault of their own. It can be something as simple as an error on a form, a communications breakdown, including very often letters from the Home Office being sent to the wrong address. Things which could happen to anybody when dealing with large organisations, just think about the errors which can happen with utility companies. For migrants though these errors can have a devasting impact on their lives.

From policy changes, large increases in visa costs, people seeking asylum spuriously denied it on the grounds of disbelief, a particular issue with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, lack of knowledge of the reality of how modern slavery works, or the different ways in which people can be trafficked and exploited, the variety of ways people can become undocumented is extensive.

People living in the UK for decades can be undocumented. They have built lives here, friendships, families, communities. They need protection, a way to have their status regularised. They should not be being treated as criminals.

Policies of regularisation are not some random hypothetical. They have been used before by many other countries, and proven to be a huge success, as well as more cost effective than focusing on returns.

They provide people with the ability to secure more stable, less exploitative, jobs, which in turn tackles exploitative employers. They reduce the mental and physical health issues created through being undocumented, not just from the stress but also the lack of ability to seek any form of support. Most of all though, they help treat people with the dignity and respect we would all expect.

Expanding immigration detention and increasing the number of returns doesn’t help anyone. They destroy lives. On a practical, economic, note, immigration detention is expensive, vastly more so than providing people with a regularised status. When you do provide them with that status, rather than locking them up, you open up their ability to work in safer, more secure jobs, pay more into the country through taxes, and cost less in detention. It is a win-win for all concerned. Not only does this benefit those who were previously undocumented, it ensures that more investment can be made into communities to support everyone, as seen in other countries which have pursued similar policies.

As one of our members said: "The government is saying this to put fear in people. Where do undocumented migrants live? Are they in Home Office accommodation? Are they in prison already? Where are they going to find them? Undocumented people live among us. Are they going to bring back the stop and search, and the "go home" vans? This government needs to focus on what will benefit the country as a whole, instead of playing with voters' mind using the issue of undocumented migrants. Give people status instead of tampering with their mental health by sending messages to cause anxiety and fear. Let people be free!”

When someone becomes undocumented it becomes incredibly hard to get back into the system to regain their status. We need a change in thinking, a change in approach from previous draconian, and failed policies. We need to remove those obstacles people face so that that they can seek help when facing exploitation, secure employment, rent, and live, without living under the fear of having their whole life ripped apart in a second.