lassn - the asylum journey (updated october 2013)
DESCRIPTION
This is a short presentation we use as part of our Volunteer Training ProgrammeTRANSCRIPT
LASSN Volunteer Training
WELCOME
Introductions
• Name
• What are volunteering for
• Why did you get involved
• One obscure/interesting fact about yourself
Morning• Introductions
• The Asylum journey
• Questions
Agenda
Afternoon• English at Home
Housekeeping and ground rules
What do people believe?
… we are being flooded
… everyone comes for the benefits
… everyone is bogus
… asylum seekers are terrorist & criminals
… the UK is the number one destination for asylum seekers
What do we believe?
• People are mis-informed
• Informed people are sympathetic
• Informed people are supportive
• Informed people are generous
Where do refugees come from? 2012
How many people do you think claim asylum in the UK each year?
• Around 5,000 6%
• Around 25,000 23% Actual
• Around 100,000 31%
• Around 200,000 23%
• More than 500,000 18%
Where do refugees go? 2012
Definitions
• Asylum Seeker – Someone who is fleeing persecution and has arrived in another country exercising their right to claim asylum
• Refugee – Someone whose application has been successful and they are given the right to remain in the country they have sought asylum in
• Refused asylum seeker – some whose claim has been refused and currently does not have an outstanding case
• Economic Migrant – Someone who has chosen to travel to another country to seek employment
Definition of a refugee
• A refugee is as a person who has fled … due to a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of – race– religion– nationality– membership of a particular social group– or political opinion
Article 1, The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
Different types of refugee protection
• Refugee status– falls within the 1951 Convention definition– given 5 years to remain - extension or revocation after this– Prior to 2005 people were given Indefinite Leave to Remain
• Humanitarian Protection (HP)/ Discretionary Leave– does not meet the 1951 Convention definition– But to return the person would violate the UK’s obligations
under the Human Rights Act 1998, particularly article 3 (torture and inhuman and degrading treatment) or if the return would be unlawful or inappropriate
– Granted for up to 3 years (although after this period it may be reviewed as to whether further protection is required).
Migration in the UK – 2012
Source:Migration Statistics Quarterly Report August 2012 | 30 August 2012
Population in mid 2012 = 63,700,000
asylum seekers
27,978 (incl dependants)
Arrivals into the UK
497,000
Departures from the UK
321,000
Net migration176,000
Asylum applications to the UK
-
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Asylum in the UK 2012
Source: Home Office, immigration statistics
21,843New claims for
Asylum in the UK
5,974Granted leave to remain in UK
Refugees through resettlement programme
750
Asylum journey in
the UK
Asylum Support
• UKBA supports adults and families• accommodation (inclusive of bills)• weekly cash support (section 95)
• Local authority supports unaccompanied children
Detention
All asylum seeking adults and families are “Liable to be detained”
• There is no statutory limit to the length of immigration detention
• The decision to detain is made by an immigration officer or a case owner and is not automatically subject to independent review at any stage
• The coalition government committed to ending the detention of children. At present they are running immigration removal pilots into alternatives
Asylum journey in the UK
Section 4 support
1. Taking all reasonable steps to leave the UK2. Unable to leave the UK by reason of a physical
impediment to travel or for some other medical reason, e.g. late stage of pregnancy
3. Unable to leave the UK because there is no viable route of return available
4. Have made an application for judicial review of a decision in relation to their asylum claim.
5. Require support in order to avoid a breach of a person’s rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, e.g. submitted a fresh claim
Section 4 support
• Accommodation (including bills)• £35.39 credited each week to the Azure card • NO CASH• Additional credits available for small children
& pregnant women
Destitution
• Refugees
• Refused asylum seekers, cannot get section 4 or social services support
• Cannot return to their home country
• Cannot get travel documents
• Stateless – no country will accept them
• UK Government policy
Access to healthcare, Aug 2011Refugee
– access to all health care, same as any other resident
Asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers appealing or on section 4, people who have been trafficked
– entitled to register with a GP (at GP discretion) and to receive free NHS hospital treatment
– exempt from charges for health care and prescriptions – need UKBA certificate HC2
Refused Asylum Seeker– Treatment already underway is completed free of charge– Prescriptions – need low income certificate HC1– Other treatment will be charged
Services free services to all– Accident and emergency– Family planning– Certain diseases (TB, Measles, pandemic flu)– Treatment for sexually transmitted diseases – HIV/AIDS treatment now free– Mental health treatment under court order
Legal Advice
Asylum seekers are entitled to FREE legal representation from:
• A solicitor, or• An adviser who is officially regulated by the
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC)
Any questions