Foreigners

Thank you Jen .
Many people in Calais have been wary about being photographed, according to a friend of mine who has been there. He gives examples such as: someone fleeing because their brother had been killed by a political faction so were quite reasonably very wary about having their face on social media, given that they had come from a very dangerous place and were still not in a safe place in Calais.
I agree with the French spokesperson who said it is the UK's responsibility to process the asylum claims of those who with to come here. The clock is surely ticking on this.

I wonder why they covered themselves in towels DJ ? Not trying to be clever or awkward, just wondering.

Happy to hear we could accommodate trisher

'Fourteen children arrived at an immigration centre in Croydon, south London, on Thursday morning, days before the camp in Calais is expected to be demolished on Monday.

Among the group were five boys aged 12 to 14. There were also six boys and three girls described as slightly older teenagers. Six youngsters, including all the girls, covered their heads and faces in towels as they were greeted by reporters and photographers.

More than 50 of over 1,000 children in the camp have arrived in the UK under a programme to resettle unaccompanied minors. The latest group were the first to cover their faces, according to volunteers.'

Today's arrivals.

This is what is done at the moment about age testing for asylum seekers.

fullfact.org/immigration/age-assessments-calais-asylum-seekers/

Not sure how any more can be done.

He was 17. I don't think he looks younger than the pictures I've seen of the refugees from Calais.

I just can't believe some of the comments made on this thread. The unnecessary references about whose relative fought in which war. The idea that we have no responsibility for any of these children and should subject them to intrusive unreliable examinations so we can reject them more thoroughly. Does no one have the common humanity to realise that even if they are over 18 these people have suffered in wars, made an incredible journey and been housed in a terrible camp. They have relatives in this country who will welcome them, why on earth would you want to keep them apart.
gillybob the Sudanese young man was as happy as he could be in the NE. He had made friends and was doing a creative writing course. He missed his family.
Why do people think because they are from another country and a different culture refugees have none of the feelings we do?

17?

Well, old enough (in fact a year older) to join the Army?

It's Daniel Radcliffe and I think he was 18 when he was in Equus, wasn't he? He certainly doesn't look older.

I saw from a report by a person helping the refugees in the Jungle that it was easier to check the older children as they sometimes still had papers with them and knew more facts. The younger children take a lot longer to process but some are going through the checking process now.

You should complain to the Home Office, who organised the priority. My understanding is that there are few unaccompanied minors. The priority was the unaccompanied ones, most of whom have already been waiting months if not years.

I wonder how old people think this young man was...

I think they should have started in the reverse order - youngest first as a priority, up to the oldest.

What about much younger children whose childhood and future could well be jeopardised by others much older who are getting ahead of them? Are they unimportant? I feel a lot more worried about a lone 10 year old than a 17? Year old.

This is what happens when we challenge children's ages.

www.opendemocracy.net/5050/kamena-dorling/lost-childhoods-age-disputes-in-uk-asylum-system

Not only have they lost their childhood in their country of origin, but it can take up to three years to get the proof needed to be accepted here.

I hope people who query this realise what they are doing.

not quite sure whether this 'trophy' is an appropriate momentum, but on the other hand feels it is a reminder of the follies and horrors of war.
'Turn your swords into ploughshares'

or keep them as a reminder.

Defence is so different to aggression.

A girl has arrived already. You obviously missed her.
Yes, but so pleased about that.

So why did you i9mply no girls had arrived, if you knew one had?
She's still a girl and not a boy, however old she is.

Jalima your Dad was in both wars?! How unlucky was he.
rosesarered
Well, I think he lied about his age so that he could join the RN during WW1, and was still in for WW2 - but was lucky not to be injured. That is another story! (but traumatised by some of the things he saw).

I didn't miss the information that the first girl had arrived, durhamjen but there was no information about her other than that she was 'teenaged'.

'The Home Office is not known for being a soft touch when it comes to asylum seekers and it has stated clearly that any child brought to the UK must have provided clear and credible documentary evidence proving their claimed age.

It’s also worth noting that those who criticise the youngsters who have arrived so far this week – poring over their facial features for evidence of deceit regarding their age – have omitted to mention the scores of children who have been wrongly detained in adult immigration removal centres over the years.

For children who have witnessed and sometimes experienced atrocities in their home countries and who leave family behind to embark on hazardous journeys to safety, being locked up with adults in conditions equivalent to a category B prison when they reach the UK really is the last straw. The experience compounds their trauma.'

Shouldn't you be complaining about this?

roses, Jalima, my maternal uncle was at D.Day, and he brought home a very ferocious dagger with a huge swastika on the handle! My uncle has now died and the dagger is in the possession of my youngest cousin. My cousin is a clergyman, and not quite sure whether this 'trophy' is an appropriate momentum, but on the other hand feels it is a reminder of the follies and horrors of war. Like my grandpa and stepfather uncle rarely if ever talked about these war(s). If only humans could learn by the past, but I guess sadly they never will.

Ana there are not many unaccompanied girls, for reasons that are obvious.
The 14 children have been admitted under the Dublin agreement which is about uniting them with their families across Europe.
Nothing seems to have been done about the Dubs agreement. Rudd is dragging her feet.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/05/disgrace-to-europe-former-child-refugee-lord-dubs-calais-camp

A girl has arrived already. You obviously missed her.

I think that most of us would, but perhaps it means that the older looking ones have the right paperwork and can prove relatives here?
Jalima your Dad was in both wars?! How unlucky was he.

Even if all these young men are genuinely under 18, I'd still like to see some younger ones and some girls among the next arrivals.