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‘Understanding the day-to-day realities of the Hostile Environment’ – Reflections on our community engagement and public education workshop event

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By Nova Jaszkiewicz, Intern at Migrant Action and event organiser

The ‘Hostile Environment’ policy was introduced in 2012 by then Home Secretary Theresa May MP with the stated purpose of creating a hostile environment for undocumented migrants in the UK, while acting as a deterrent for’ ‘illegal’ migrants moving to the UK.   The hostile environment policy provides a framework for a relentless migration policy instrument which continues to have wider implications. not least fostering an environment which is unwelcoming, discriminatory, and unsympathetic towards migrants as a whole.  

The operationalisation of these policies has engaged the activities of global corporate outfits as well as public services, local businesses and individuals (such as landlords) who are increasingly involved in various ways in border security and immigration controls. The workings of these policies have a direct impact on the day-to-day living of migrants as well as migrant communities. 

The hostile environment is enabling a harmful environment whereby exploitation, discrimination, poverty and destitution, misinformation, confusion, incarceration, fear and anxiety, exclusion, restricted and inequitable access to services, poor integration and much more are systemically reproduced and reinforced.  As such, it has become increasingly important to raise awareness of these policies and understanding of the day-to-day reality of the impact of these policies on migrants, empower and support migrants, work collaboratively and in solidarity to advocate for humane policies and reduce harm.

Discussing and understanding personal experiences of the Hostile Environment, and the effects it has on daily life of migrants and migrant communities, is essential to challenging the hostile migration narrative underpinning these policies and working to transform the hostile migration environment into a welcoming, supportive and safe environment for migrants. In light of this, Migrant Action held a public education/community awareness workshop event in collaboration with Divest Borders Leeds led by a panel of people with lived experience of the hostile environment, researchers and advocacy/campaigning organisations.

The Event

The panel event was developed with the aims of both raising awareness on the Hostile Environment and its effects, and developing that awareness into action by encouraging personal and group reflection on counter strategies to hostile environment policies. The panel consisted of four individuals with lived experience and/or research and activism expertise on the Hostile Environment, and the first half of the session allowed the individuals to share their experience and expertise whilst maintaining a space for audience participation and open, analytical discussion. This allowed the community to gain much insight and analysis from different features of the policies – addressing issues including detention, healthcare surcharges and sponsorship requirements for employment. The second half of the session moved into a further interactive and collaborative workshop in  which the panellists joined small working groups with participants to discuss and collaborate on ideas for how to combat and resist the Hostile Environment in our community and daily lives, and on a more political and policy level. This allows for the development of awareness and insight into action. 

Key Messages and Discussion

The panel event and subsequent workshop enabled a space for insightful discussion on many topics surrounding the Hostile Environment, and some key themes shone through in these discussions.

Naturally, there was an emphasis from the panel on facilitating visibility of the Hostile Environment by centering and hearing the stories of those with lived experience. It was acknowledged how this not only centres migrants in migrant justice, but also allows for the creation of empathy through personal understanding – which can work to foster a community environment equipped to challenge the policies on a daily and political basis. Panellists emphasised the importance of this particularly with the upcoming election, and the hyper-politicisation of migration in the media and government. The group discussed the importance of challenging the harmful narratives and rhetoric around migration presented in the media, and how sharing lived experiences can create a ‘positive case for migration’ which works on a larger scale to counter the justifications behind the Hostile Environment and encourages others to resist them. 

Linked to this, one of the key reflections undertaken by both panellists and participants of the session was considering why these issues matter to us. Stemming from this discussion, alongside natural empathy for others and personal stories of friends or families with lived experience which fostered passion for migrant justice, was the understanding of collective liberation. Panellists and participants acknowledged how other oppressed groups’ struggles, barriers and experiences connect to those with migrant identity – particularly under a capitalist system which inherently embeds a racialised hierarchy. This discussion developed into connecting current global issues to migrant justice, and the importance of countering de-sensitization of these issues in such an online world. 

There was also in-depth discussion about institutions and the role that they play in countering or contributing to the Hostile Environment. This included discussions about sponsorship and right-to-work requirements in corporations, as well as insight about how many UK universities have financial ties to companies that profit from the UK’s violent border industry, even Universities that have been awarded ‘sanctuary status’. When talking about turning awareness into action, the conversation around institutions centred around students and unions organising to demand divestment within their institutions, and campaigning for more support for migrants within their workplaces and universities.

Community Resilience

The overarching message from the panel event was one of community resilience. When the interactive workshops were discussing ways to counter the Hostile Environment on a community and political level, a key point emerged – the fact that national and political organising often emerges from community or daily operations. This emphasised how you may not be able to separate community and political work, because action is interconnected. There was also insightful analysis from one of the panellists that this involved establishing a wider meaning to the word community, and creating common enemies which in turn would combat the scapegoating of migrants within such a community. This would also take the onus off of migrants to be the only ones fighting for their rights, whilst keeping their experiences at the centre. 

With this in mind, panellists and participants re-emphasised the importance of knowledge sharing, but extended this to also uplifting, supporting and collaborating with community organisations already doing great work to counter the Hostile Environment, especially within Leeds. In the interests of this, at the end of this blog there will be signposts to upcoming Leeds events that contribute to this community resilience. 

Part of the discussion around fostering community resilience also concentrated on acknowledging that there is individual work to be done as part of the community. This included self-reflection on your unconscious biases and what you see in the media, and being able to both understand and utilise any privilege you possess (particularly for British citizens) – which includes learning how to spot and resist raids, for example. 

Conclusion

Overall, the panel event was an informative and collaborative environment in which insight into the Hostile Environment was explored, as well as discussions of further actions for resistance. Migrant Action and Divest Borders feel immense gratitude to our panellists and participants who continue to help foster an educational, welcoming and passionate community that will help achieve migrant liberation.

Migrant Action supports migrants navigating complex procedures with 1-to-1 advice whilst also challenging inequalities through research and community engagement events like this one.

Further Resources

‘Understanding the Hostile Environment’ visual resource

Divest Borders website with downloadable action guide

‘Stand up! Speak out!’ 2024; all sessions free and online

Liberty Guide to the Hostile Environment

Destigmatising Postnatal Depression and Building Community Connections 

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By Georgia Hawthorne

On Friday the 8th of March 2024, Migrant Action celebrated International Women’s Day in collaboration with Eritrean Community Leeds & Surrounding Areas. The event was a success, bringing together members of the Eritrean community for an evening filled with joy, food, dancing, and music. The focus of the event was to bring together and celebrate Eritrean women in Leeds, making our event the first of its kind within the community. 

As well as celebrating the role and contribution of women in the community, our event raised awareness of, and in turn aimed to destigmatise, postnatal depression (PND). PND is a type of depression that many parents experience after pregnancy or birth and is particularly prevalent amongst migrant communities. 

We handed out these leaflets (linked below) with more information on what PND is, how to support someone you know, and where you can get further help. 

Experiences unique to migrants – like traumatic migration journeys, feelings of legal precarity, and being new to a host country – have been linked to the increased likelihood of experiencing PND [1] [2] [3]. Isolation and a lack of a social support network is also a major risk factor for PND, a problem prominent amongst migrant populations who may be distanced from wider family networks and who increasingly experience exclusion from mainstream society due to the ‘hostile environment’. This is why community events, like our event on International Women’s Day, and opportunities for mothers to connect and relate to one another are so important in combatting maternal mental ill health. 

The stigma attached to PND, whereby women believe they will be seen as a bad mother if they speak honestly about their negative emotions, exacerbates feelings of isolation which often then leads to further feelings of depression and anxiety. This is why we need to talk openly about PND, to demystify what it is and be better equipped to support any parent who is suffering.

The UK government’s stated aim to construct a ‘hostile environment’ for migrants, though primarily focused on those without status, has had far-reaching implications for all migrants on various routes to settlement [4]. The increasing inaccessibility of NHS services for migrant populations, paired with ‘no recourse to public funds’ visa conditions and the rising costs of routes to settlement, have collectively contributed to the continued prevalence of PND amongst migrant mothers. The isolating impact of ‘hostile environment’ policies stands in the way of migrant mothers’ pursuit of reproductive justice, defined by Ross and Solinger as the right to not have a child; the right to have a child; and the right to parent as you wish [5]. It becomes evident when adopting this holistic reproductive justice framework that maternal inequalities between British mothers and migrant mothers, including the increased prevalence of PND amongst the latter, is an injustice which needs to be addressed. 

The following quote from Mery, a member of Leeds’ Eritrean community and a key organiser of this event, demonstrates the importance of community building in addressing the PND risk factors unique to migrant populations. 

“The event went perfectly and it really was a great way to bring everyone together with great food and a great atmosphere! Issues like PND are usually not spoken about in a traditional Eritrean society and I was really happy that this event allowed us to do so in an effective way thanks to Georgia, Fidelis and the Migrant Action team. This event allowed us to bring all Eritrean women together and now every Friday, an afternoon coffee takes place where we enjoy each other’s company!”

Our work at Migrant Action

Migrant Action are committed to supporting and empowering migrants, including migrant mothers within our community navigate healthcare challenges and provision. Through such lived experience-led community education events, Migrant Action aims to build capacity and community resilience to address barriers including but not limited to systemic barriers and help reduce health inequalities particularly amongst migrants. In essence, enhancing health justice. 

If you’re struggling with PND, some of the following website may be of use to you: 

References

[1] Firth, A.D. and Haith-Cooper, M. 2018. Vulnerable migrant women and postnatal depression: A case of invisibility in maternity services? British Journal of Midwifery. 26(2), pp.78–84.

[2] Collins, C.H., Zimmerman, C. and Howard, L.M. 2011. Refugee, asylum seeker, immigrant women and postnatal depression: rates and risk factors. Archives of Women’s Mental Health. 14(1), pp.3–11.

[3] Hayes, I., Enohumah, K. and McCaul, C. 2011. Care of the migrant obstetric population. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia. 20(4), pp.321–329.

[4] Kirkrup 2012. Theresa May interview: ‘We are going to give illegal migrants a really hostile reception’. The Telegraph. [Online]. [Accessed 12 January 2024]. Available from: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/9291483/Theresa-May-interview-Were-going-to-give-illegal-migrants-a-really-hostile-reception.html.

[5] Ross, L. and Solinger, R. 2017. Reproductive Justice: An Introduction [Online]. Berkeley, UNITED STATES: University of California Press. [Accessed 30 December 2023]. Available from: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/leeds/detail.action?docID=4711991.

Panel Discussion: The Day-to-Day Reality of Hostile Environment Policies

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Join us and Divest Borders Leeds for a panel discussion event focused on the day-to-day reality of ‘hostile environment’ policies.

When: Wednesday the 20th of March – Arrive: 10.30am – Workshop: 11am-1pm

Where: Middle Floor, 23-25 Wharf Street, Leeds, LS2 7EQ

*Unfortunately, Middle Floor is not a wheelchair accessible venue

What: There will be a panel discussion followed by team workshopping activities based on the content of the discussion.

Grab your free Eventbrite tickets here!: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/panel-discussion-understanding-the-hostile-environment-tickets-856065855017

You will be able to enter the event without a ticket, but purchasing a free ticket beforehand will allow us to better manage our numbers and prepare for the event. 

Meet our panellists:

  • Reem ElKosseer: 

I’m Reem, a fourth year business management and marketing student. I’m currently an international student here in the UK and a scholar at the University of Leeds. I spent most of my life growing up in Egypt and moved here just before accessing higher education, and I am still navigating the immigration system till this day. I have worked for different large corporates during my time living here, as well as smaller charities UK-based and internationally.

  • André Dallas: 

André Dallas is a Liverpool-based decolonial artist and activist of Afro-Jamaican descent whose work seeks to challenge the downpression of the Babylon systems which bound the ways we imagine the world and our place in it. Since organising with Rhodes Must Fall in Oxford, he has played a significant role in the development of People & Planet’s Divest Borders campaign, through which UK students are demanding that their universities sever ties with companies profiting from the persecution of migrating people.

  • Holly Mogford:

 I am a PhD student at Swansea University and Patients not Passports campaigner. My research is concerned with the function(s) and implications of immigration charging regimes which include visa, residency and citizenship fees, NHS (sur)charging, employer sanctions and landlord sanctions. The Patients not Passports campaign works towards ending immigration checks and charges in the NHS.

  • Daniel Vincent:

Daniel is providing a lived experience perspective of the ‘hostile environment’.

Why is it important to attend events like these?

Attending events like this means you are able to hear and engage with the lived experiences of those who are subject to and affected by the Hostile Environment Policies, and re-centres migrants in migration justice. In a country where the government and media repeatedly criminalise and make false, harmful representations of migrants to the British public, it is important to hear stories from migrants which counter and debunk harmful rhetorics. Furthermore, at panel events like this you are also able to hear from researchers and activists which can guide you into reflection and action on your own daily lives, and what you can do to contribute to migrant justice on a community and political level.

Community Resilience: Reflections on our Preparing for the Illegal Migration Act Workshop

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By Fidelis Chebe and Georgia Hawthorne

On Tuesday the 6th of February, Migrant Action and Right To Remain co-hosted a workshop event discussing the Illegal Migration Act (IMA), how it is being enforced and how it is impacting our community. This event brought together a collective of different charities, organisations and individuals who are seeking to challenge the hostile effects of the IMA, and who support migrants within the local area. Events like these remind us of the importance of community, collective action and collective power. It is through coming together and collaborating that we can better address the unjust impacts of migration policies and support those who are vulnerable within our society.

A Note on Language: 

The Illegal Migration Act is problematic in its coding of human beings as legal or illegal. This following quote from Right To Remain details their difficulty with this term,

[The term “illegal”] is clearly dehumanising and apathetic to the experiences of people seeking sanctuary or a better life, whose journey to the United Kingdom (UK) was dictated by nothing more than an accident of birth. Second, it is factually incorrect. The act of migrating is not inherently illegal – not under entrenched principles of international law and policy. People move; we always have, and we always will. Third, it is grammatically incorrect. In any other arena, if an individual commits a crime, they do something illegal, they don’t become something illegal. In this way, our well-known belief that #NoOneIsIllegal has become increasingly poignant and urgent. [1]

What is the Illegal Migration Act?

In short, the IMA is a piece of legislation which aims to stop migration to the UK by irregular means: whether that’s small boat crossings, travelling clandestinely, or using false documents to arrive and remain in the UK. The Illegal Migration Bill passed into law in July 2023, thus becoming an Act, but not all sections of the Act have yet been enforced. 

In the workshop presentation, the Right to Remain legal education officer Leah Cowling, set out the legal technicalities of the Act. The presentation highlighted what parts of the Act have and have not been enforced, which sections are workable or unworkable, and the currently not-enforced lynchpin of the Act.  This Right To Remain blog explicitly unpacked the legal technicalities of the Act: link.

The IMA goes against the Refugee Convention of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and is incompatible with both the European Convention Against Trafficking (ECAT) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). In the workshop discussion, it is acknowledged that deterrence is largely ineffective at stopping the flow of migration and rather, exacerbates the risk and danger of unsafe routes to the UK.  Also, the potential criminalisation of asylum would likely result in more poverty, destitution and vulnerability to exploitation, abuse and other forms of migrant injustice within the UK for precarious migrants with insecure/irregular migration status.  

See Right to Remains’ blog post that provides a good summary of this: Link.  These migrant vulnerabilities and injustices are confronted through Migrant Action’s advice and casework whereby we provide a range of support interventions with limited resources.

The Impact of the IMA on our Communities

Through a panel discussion and group tasks, we spent time examining the impact of the IMA on our communities. Key themes of fear, anxiety and distrust were voiced, with it being emphasised that such a hostile Act impacts everyone not just migrants. The increased pressure felt amongst volunteer groups seeking to fill gaps in current UK welfare provision was also noted, with the opacity and fluctuating nature of the Act making it difficult to keep up with, to understand, and to challenge in this sector. 

Main Takeaways

  • The importance of collaborative and a collective effort – we are stronger together.

The collective organising of campaigns allows for creativity and endurance in tackling social injustice and in supporting those who are vulnerable in our community. Connections between groups should be fostered and encouraged through more events like this workshop. 

  • It is time to ‘mainstream’ issues of migration (in)justice. 

We need to stop discussing and treating issues of migration injustice as niche problems that only impact a portion of our community. Issues facing many migrants in the UK – such as destitution and homelessness, mental health struggles, inaccessible healthcare – overlap with issues faced by all of us. Bridges need to be forged between migration charities and other sectors, in turn strengthening our potential power as a collective. 

  • More public education

Awareness and understanding of complex migration issues (legislation, policies, context and impact analyses etc) in order to prevent harmful narratives/practices and effective organising for positive change requires public education and community engagement.

Conclusion

Migrant Action is a rights and migrant justice organisation supporting vulnerable migrants including, but not limited to, people confronted by insecure and irregular immigration status. We anticipate that IMA will force more people into this category who will reach out for support from Migrant Action. In preparing for the Act as part of a wider network and support infrastructure, we will continue to develop learning and community organising partnerships with other organisations to strengthen public education and building capacity for system change. 

   

Supporting Migrants to Rebuild Their Lives in Goldthorpe, Rotherham

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Moving to and settling in a new culture and society is daunting particularly when people have faced traumatic experiences during their journeys.  Whilst in the UK, these ‘traumas’ are often made worse by challenges in accessing vital services, isolation, communication, poor knowledge of services, no recourse to public funds, etc.  Against the backdrop of an increasing hostile migration environment and cost of living crisis, these challenges create conditions which exacerbate vulnerability and undermine effective integration, cohesion, and migrant justice.

A new Migrant Support Service

In response, Migrant Action, and The Salvation Army, Goldthorpe have established a new partnership to ensure new and vulnerable migrants feel welcome and supported to integrate effectively and rebuild their lives in Rotherham- Yorkshire. 

Through the partnership, Migrant Action will run an advice and advocacy service at the Community Drop-in,Salvation Army Community Centre, Straight Lane, Goldthorpe, Rotherham, S63 9DW.   Support at the drop-in will include but not limited to; advice, information and guidance, practical assistance with issues relating to housing, employment, healthcare, education, access to immigration advice and destitution support. Also, migrants will be offered advocacy support to ensure positive pathways and equity of access to mainstream provision while redressing systemic injustices.  

Migrant Justice Partnership

Migrant Action is excited about the new partnership that will enable migrants feel more welcome and hopeful to rebuild their lives and thrive as part of the local community. Working closely with our amazing friends of the Salvation Army centre (Alison and Jackie) would ensure Migrant Action actualise migrant and social justice through its service provision and relationships with communities and local agencies. 

Alison, Jackie and everyone at the community drop-in have been wonderful in welcoming Migrant Action and we are deeply grateful.  We look forward to working together to better serve the most vulnerable in the community including migrants.

The new partnership aligns with our core values; welcome, collaboration, transformation, equity, and community resilience.

Fidelis Chebe

Chief Executive

Migrant Action

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Office address: Roundhay Resource Centre, 233-237 Roundhay Road, Harehills, Leeds LS8 4HS

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