Our response to Government's white paper on immigration

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for changes to immigration, using divisive language and referring to an 'island of strangers'.

Natasha Tsangarides, Associate Director of Advocacy at Freedom from Torture, said:

“Successive governments have been hooked on the cheap political points they can score by punching down on migrants, and it appears that this Labour Government is no different. Meanwhile, most of us are just trying to get by in uncertain times, and build a better, safer world for the next generation. Now is not the time to create ‘us-and-them’ divisions. It’s our communities that will suffer as it translates into suspicion, division and the kind of violence towards refugees that we saw only last summer.

“The Government talks about the importance of community bonds, cohesion and integration but this kind of politics – one that blames migrants for the state of our public services or the chaos in the Channel – does infinitely more damage than any migrant worker ever could.

“Instead of more appeasement to the right wing, this Government should focus on building an effective and humane immigration system, including a fair and effective asylum process that’s capable of making the right decision quickly, so that survivors of torture can recover in safety and rebuild their lives in strong and united communities.”

Read our response in the Independent

Banner image credit: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo