On 12 May, the government published its Immigration White Paper, outlining a series of proposed changes to existing schemes aimed at reducing migration to the UK. Among these is the deeply concerning proposal to double the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain from five to ten years for most people seeking to settle in the UK. These measures represent a clear expansion of the hostile environment and will disproportionately harm women, those in lower paid jobs, people of colour, and disabled people.
We are alarmed by the words chosen by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose “island of strangers” rhetoric is yet another example of scapegoating migrants and fuelling dangerous division in our communities. We saw the impact of anti-migrant sentiment last summer, when our centre had to close because of the risk of attack from the far-right. We are seeing it again now, as many HMC visitors contact us in fear of what the White Paper means for their lives.
At Hackney Migrant Centre, we call on all our Elected Representatives to stop using inflammatory language against migrants and urge the government to pursue evidence-based, humane reforms rooted in anti-racism and social justice to improve the immigration system for all.