Migrant Action

Empowerment Advocacy Justice

EU Citizens: Preparing for Brexit!

by

As Brexit looms, the uncertainty about the rights of EU citizens in the UK looms even larger. This uncertainty is fuelling a crippling anxiety amongst EU citizens desperate for clarity and guidance to enable them prepare for life after Brexit.  Such clarity and guidance was scarce at the event organised by Leeds City Council ‘Response to Brexit’ where authorities lamented by saying “we know as much as you do”.

The consequence of this uncertainty as a result of Brexit political impasse is manifested by the chaos and vulnerability of those whose life choices, livelihoods and futures are held captive by BREXIT. Migrant Action is witness to these manifestations through providing advice, guidance, advocacy and a range of other direct assistances to migrants in vulnerable circumstances including EU migrants. Migrant Action continues to work collaboratively with other agencies to facilitate access to the settlement scheme for EU citizens and other support packages.

Amidst the uncertainty about the eventualities of BREXIT, EU citizens are being urged to regularise the immigration status in the UK by applying under the new Home Office EU Settlement Scheme. The Scheme was opened initially since the beginning of March and will remain open until 30 June 2021.  This guidance may change depending on the eventual outcome of the BREXIT Process.  For more information about the scheme and application process see link below

Citizen Advice Immigration Information –https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/

If you encounter any problems or need to speak to Citizens Advice Bureau, see link below

Citizen Advice Leeds Contact Information https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/leeds/contact-us/?serialnumber=100673

If you guidance and support from Migrant Action, please contact us on email info@migrantaction.org.ukor visit our website www.migrantaction.org

Happy New Year from Migrant Action

Dear friends of Migrant Action,

In a few hours, we will be saying ‘good-bye’ to 2021 and ‘welcome’ to 2022. Thank you for your solidarity and support helping to strengthen Migrant Action’s advocacy and pursuit for migrants’ rights & justice in an increasingly challenging and complex environment.  The essence of our work is even more relevant now!

Context

BREXIT, the ‘New immigration bill which reinforces the ‘hostile environment’ policy targeting migrants, the Climate crisis, Covid-19, Systemic racism, negative press narratives fuelling anti-migrant sentiments by sections of the media, protracted conflicts, political violence, human rights violations, economic exploitation, and political marginalisation of the global south.   

These developments constitute a disturbing environment for migrant’s rights & justice.  Firstly, it engineers and sustains vulnerability and the precarious conditions that trigger more mobility of migrants across and within countries.   Secondly, it entrenches and exacerbates an infrastructure that undermine migrants’ capacity to access justice, deepen inequality, racial & social injustice and routinely negate migrant rights and dignity.  In essence, such an environment poses an existential threat to the dignity and humanity of migrants.

Our Response

Migrant Action is adapting and responding to this changing and complex context. We have expanded provision and adapted service delivery model to proactively support vulnerable migrants during the pandemic and beyond. We enhanced our delivery of crisis interventions to prevent homelessness & destitution, increased access to immigration advice for people with insecure immigration, increased integration support for new migrants, assisted more EU migrants to regularise their immigration status in the UK after Brexit.   Our advocacy work continues to promote equity of rights and justice for migrants. Essentially, Migrant Action continues to a lifeline and safety net for vulnerable migrants in this challenging environment.

Migrant Action has also strengthened its capacity and resilience in pursuit of transformational social change. The current context demands more urgency to challenge anti-migrant sentiments and policies, tackle structural inequalities, climate change, systemic racism, and social injustice. To this vein, our strategic advocacy through ‘Strengthening Hands’ partnerships to grow migrant ‘voice’, as well as our collaborative research, capacity building and campaign-based activities have been impactful.

Looking to the future

Migrant Action anticipates operating in an even more challenging context as it grapples with the issues undermining rights and justice. However, we have emerged from 2020/21 with more capacity and resilience to respond to present and future challenges working as a team with staff, volunteers, trustees, partners, funders and of course, those we serve- migrants.  Therefore, we look forward to 2022 with greater hope and fierceness commitment to rights and justice for migrants, a fair and humane immigration system and for a more equal, just, and peaceful society in which everyone including migrants can realize their full potential.

Dear friends, your solidarity remains invaluable and integral to our success, even more so, now!

Thank you and Happy New Year!

Fidelis Chebe

Director