16 Jane Kelly reports on New Labour's punitive plans for further attacks on asylum seekers asylum rights In November last year the Government published a new 'Simplification' Bill, prepared by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) which according to them, "introduces new and far-reaching concepts for the future immigration system that will strengthen our borders, simplify immigration processes and increase our effectiveness at removing those who do not have permission to be in the United Kingdom."
Or to put it more succinctly, "it will: • replace current immigration • make it easier for us to make
immigration decisions and • help migrants understand
their position in the United
Kingdom." In other words "simplification' is to make things easier for the UKBA, not asylum seekers and will speed up enforced deportations by increasing destitution and poverty for those whose initial application for asylum has been denied.
The UKBA has also decided that all so-called legacy cases (asylum applications made before March 2007) will have to go to Liverpool instead of local reporting centres for interviews. How they are supposed to get there if they are from outside that area is not discussed.
While the Simplification Bill is being consulted on, the UKBA has introduced the ill-named 'Azure' card. The government has proposed that families who are unable to return home will be refused cash support, and forced to New attacks on rely on this plastic payment card. It makes a mockery of the government's claim to be safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children seeking asylum as it announced last week. The plastic card replaces the old voucher scheme for the same group of asylum seekers-under section 4-by a plastic card with £35 a week fed into it that can only be redeemed at a small number of supermarkets. Further, only €5 a week can be carried over, any remaining money is lost if
This means that if you are ill for a week and unable to shop you lose all but f5 of that week's money. Nor can you save a small amount each week to buy a larger item-clothing or a pair of shoes, etc. In addition the card makes no allowance for fares or shopping in cheaper
While the voucher scheme was punitive and discriminatory, exposing the holders as asylum seekers, they have been exchanged for cash by some charities, allowing asylum seekers more choice as to how to use the money. With the plastic card this will no longer be possible.
Lastly immigration officials normally based in regional offices are now to be placed in local welfare, benefit and council offices such as housing and social services departments. This opens up the possibility of asylum seekers being continually harassed and questioned at every attempt to get what they need and in addition the likelihood of hostile or racist members of the public making complaints to local officials.
ASYLUM SEEKERS Inducing mental health Increasing numbers of asylum seekers, especially those who have had an initial negative decision and therefore face destitution, also develop mental health problems. Most have not suffered these before coming to Britain, but the hostile reception they receive from the authorities leaves them feeling stressed, demoralised and often suicidal. Not only have they had to flee their own country, ravaged by war or political oppression, but they are given appalling treatment when they eventually reach Britain.
Some have waited years for a final decision on their statustwo have recently been given status after 16 years. Imagine your life on hold for such a length of time. Nothing can be planned, you are continually worried about being detained, become paranoid about officialdom, yet have to attend interviews and meetings to try and get what is your right. Asylum children in detention The hypocrisy of the government knows no bounds. Despite their Every Child Matters policy, around 2,000 children a year are held in immigration centres, half at Yarl's Wood, which has been run by a private company, Serco, since 2007. According to The Independent on Sunday (26 April 2009), Sir Al Aynsley-Green (Children's Commissioner) reported in April 2009 that children held at Yarl's Wood are being denied urgent medical treatment, handled violently and left at risk of serious harm.
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ASYLUM SEEKERS 2009 May Day conference at the Miners Hall, Barnsley, with workshops including trade union reps, and refugee and asylum seeker groups. Organised by SYMAAG (South Yorkshire Migrants Asylum Seekers Action Group) and Barnsley Trades Council
His investigation found, "substantial evidence that detention is harmful and damaging to children and young people". Yarl's Wood opened in 2001 and has had many incidents such as hunger strikes, self-harming, a suicide and riots. It was severely damaged by fire during disturbances in 2002. Despite repeated scandals-and the damning findings of this report-planning permission was given last year to double the centre's capacity from 405 places to nearly 900.
The Independent on Sunday reports that, 'the most recent inspection by Sir Al, reveals that basic safeguards for children in Yarl's Wood are failing. Welfare issues raising "serious concern" were ignored, with children forced to remain in custody even when they were seriously ill or in danger from parents with mental health problems..... It also criticises the "scant regard to basic welfare needs" during arrest and transportation to the centre? Arrests to take people into detention are often made in dawn raids with large numbers of police and immigration officers, leaving children traumatised and frightened.
The Refugee Council is warning that some of the language of the new Simplif17 ication Bill is not consonant with the Geneva Convention. "It fails to state the primacy of the 1951 Refugee Convention and places huge emphasis on the need to control borders without recognising the need to ensure refugees are able to get to the UK to access safety here."
We need to look out for the final bill when it is published after the consultation period ends in early February. In the meantime the lack of any nationally organised campaign against asylum legislation and the practices of the UKBA is leading to increasingly punitive laws.