Asylum seekers

It's correct.

www.gov.uk/claim-asylum#:~:text=You%20must%20apply%20for%20asylum,study%20or%20remain%20with%20family).

It's what I understand Quokka The government has shown no inclination to set up a system for them to apply outside the UK.

Yes, it’s correct. An individual wanting to claim asylum in the UK has to be in the country.

The other total nonsense is these people aren’t allowed to work, yet the benefits the receive are paltry

It’s almost like the system is set up to fail, or promote trafficking

Summerlove

It’s almost like the system is set up to fail, or promote trafficking

Exactly

Now a group of about 40 have been left stranded at Victoria Station. Most of them managed to contact relatives and have gone to them but 11 had to be rescued first by station staff then a homeless charity.

Another mighty cock-up.

I wish it was generally understood that this is the case. Reference to illegal asylum seekers is inaccurate as they can only apply once they are actually here, and a decision is made (which seemingly takes years).

So anyone could just arrive in a boat without being checked? How do they eat if they can’t work ? I suppose there must be a lot of under the counter employment happening. Why do they bother checking at airports if you can just come without a passport anyway ?

There are no facilities for applying for asylum outside the UK. These people have no choice if they want to come here.

One of the biggest myths around asyulim seeking is around the number who WISH to come to UK. I hear so many people (probably reading it in DM, etc), saying that they ALL want to come to UK because we are too soft!!!

Like the Brexit bus this is just downright lies. The chart shows that GB takes very few of these poor people, most of whom are fleeing from wars in their home countries.

Asylum seekers per 10,00 of population

Cyprus..............................152.6%
Austria...............................43.4%
Malta..................................29.4%
Greece................................25.6%
Slovenia..............................25.1%
Lichenstein.........................24.3%
Iceland................................23.6%
Germany............................22.9%
Luxembourg.....................22.2%
Belgium..............................21.6%
France..................................17.8%
Switzerland........................17/2%
Bulgaria...........................,,,.15.9%
Netherlands........................15.2%
Lithuania.............................14.1%
Spain.....................................13.8%
Sweden.................................13.5%
Italy.........................................9.0%

UK...........................................8.4%

nanna8

So anyone could just arrive in a boat without being checked? How do they eat if they can’t work ? I suppose there must be a lot of under the counter employment happening. Why do they bother checking at airports if you can just come without a passport anyway ?

Many of them do have passports. The issue is that they can't stay in the UK.

I must sound very ignorant, but if they have a passport, why don’t they come here on a normal flight, stay in a cheap B&B, and apply for asylum?

If they pay traffickers large amounts, why not pay for a flight?

( I realise I must have missed something, are they not allowed to leave their country in the first place?)

growstuff

nanna8

So anyone could just arrive in a boat without being checked? How do they eat if they can’t work ? I suppose there must be a lot of under the counter employment happening. Why do they bother checking at airports if you can just come without a passport anyway ?

Many of them do have passports. The issue is that they can't stay in the UK.

I think this is perhaps an example of how this is misunderstood. Asylum seekers in general do not arrive here then melt into the background. The fact that we know how many arrive by boat means that we know about them. They go into the system and are "processed". Undoubtedly there are people arriving by stealth who do disappear, and there always has been.

But we are getting all excited about the people who are trying to do the right thing and forgetting all about the real "illegal" immigrants.

Calendargirl

I must sound very ignorant, but if they have a passport, why don’t they come here on a normal flight, stay in a cheap B&B, and apply for asylum?

If they pay traffickers large amounts, why not pay for a flight?

( I realise I must have missed something, are they not allowed to leave their country in the first place?)

Some people who come to the UK to seek asylum will use their own passport. For some people, however, this is not possible, the country they are leaving eg the Taliban are unlikely to issue them with one.

The Home Office is clearly failing badly and has become unfit for purpose. Braverman's rhetoric is inflammatory and calculated to appeal to right wing racists. Sunak should sack her and break up the Home Office.

Yes, as others have said, in order to claim asylum in the UK the person needs to be in the UK. In order to be in the UK, the asylum seekers come across the water from France in dinghies. They are taken to be processed initially at a processing centres, after which they are moved into hotels all over the country where they wait for their asylum claim to be processed. The hotel provides all their food and accommodation. In addition they are given an allowance of about £40 per week for personal items because they are not allowed to work. Some asylum seekers come to the UK on a visa because they have a reason to come ie education. They overstay their visas and apply for asylum because they’re already here. Some people from both groups disappear into the black economy. Hope the explains for you nanna8.

This situation evokes strong feelings in people, some for the asylum seekers, others against. Certainly it is an emotive subject, and I cannot see how it is finally going to be sorted out.

How does it work in other countries? Surely our Home Office could learn from countries where seeking asylum is simpler, if such exist.

Interesting statistic from this year's census: (from the Guardian) one on six people living in the England and Wales was born outside the UK. I wonder how that compares with other European countries.

From what I can gather (others can correct me), the French have offered to set up processing centres in France where asylum seekers can be evaluated before they attempt to leave. Of course, we'd have to fund such an arrangement.

Wouldn't this take some of the pressure off our under-staffed, under-funded department? Not to mention lessening the numbers 'invading' our shores?

The government have declined the offer.

Has everyone been sleeping through the passage of the Nationality and Borders Bill 2022?
Wouldn’t be surprising if you’ve missed what these revised measures say because there have been so many political shenanigans taking place.
I believe this Bill undermines international human rights.

I would like to know where these desperate people are going to live. A hotel is only a temporary fix

It can take upwards of 1 1/2 years to get a judgement on whether or not they can stay, they are being supported (and only an inhumane society would want them not to be) by the U.K. Government.

We have a social housing crisis in the U.K. , rents can be astronomical, and some properties are sub standard.

It is an enormous mountain to climb, housing stock cannot be magicked out of the air. Should the Government be looking at pre-fab style homes (similar to post war) or even invest in the modern day modular buildings.

Who should have preference, asylum seekers, those who are sofa surfing , those living on the streets?

If anyone has a solution I suggest you write to your MP and the Immigration minister they may be grateful for an idea?

Summerlove

It’s almost like the system is set up to fail, or promote trafficking

Makes you wonder doesnt it?

As maddyone said it's a very hard problem to find a solution to.

I think if you're desperate enough to get in a wee boat ,often with children then you take priority .
Sofa surfers,not something we hear much in my neck of the wood have a roof over their heads ,The homeless problem will never be solved,though there were nights during the pandemic when there were less than 10 people sleeping in Glasgow streets ,many went back out when the weather was less harsh ,mainly because they weren't allowed to use drugs or have a dog in the hostels .
Whether they come from war torn countries or places where they wold be persecuted for their religion or sexuality is immaterial .They must be allowed to work ,many have skills we desperately need and bored people will be happy to work and pay their way ,

paddyanne54 I do agree that those who have transferable skills along with good English (spoken and written) should be allowed to work.

I remember visiting someone in one of those prefabs when I was a child. It was quite a nice little one storey house in London, light and bright and convenient for shops etc.