As of today asylum seekers who have fled persecution and risked their lives to seek refuge in the UK will be left out on the streets as a result of government policy. According to the Home Office, 36,000 people in the UK will be affected this year by new changes to the law that are now being implemented.

Refugees now need to apply for asylum “as soon as reasonably practicable” after their arrival in the UK in order to be eligible for support. Many “in-country” applicants who apply after their arrival rather than on arrival at a port or an airport could therefore be denied support while their claim is being processed – irrespective of the merits of their case.

Asylum seekers often delay making a claim because they are exhausted and traumatised after a long journey, unaware of procedures or fearful of dealing with the authorities. It will also be up to refugees to prove they have just arrived. We fail to see how they will be able to do this unless the Home Office expects lorry drivers to start issuing receipts to desperate and vulnerable asylum seekers on their arrival in the UK.

It is totally unacceptable that in order to appear tough on immigration issues the government is prepared to leave people out on the streets. According to Home Office statistics, two-thirds of in-country applicants are receiving positive decisions and are allowed to remain in the UK as the government recognises that they face genuine persecution. There is plainly no reason to target this group.

For info on the new legislation see:
 http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/publications/pub014.htm

For up to date news and links on refugee issues see:
 http://www.asylumsupport.info/news/asylum.htm

National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns:
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/