Migrant Action’s work goes beyond responding directly to the adverse effects of policies on migrants such as; withdrawal of legal aid, No recourse to public funds even for migrant women suffering domestic violence, exorbitant immigration/visa fees, NHS surcharges for migrants, Unlawful detention, restricted access to healthcare and employment amongst others.
Our work is also focused on addressing the structures (root causes) that routinely perpetuate systemic injustice and undercut migrant rights and justice. Our structural change work involves;
- Working collaboratively with other organisations in articulating structural injustice and holding the government accountable for policies designed to create a hostile environment for migrants. We do this by evidence-based research, grass-roots activism, strategic alliance and advocacy towards influencing policy change.
- We develop strategic partnerships with agencies, local authorities and funding bodies to remove systemic barriers, transform cultures, embed good practice and influence positive change
- We develop new services or partnership provisions in areas where migrants are deprived of essential advice, advocacy and support. Migrants inherently vulnerable, institutionally marginalised and most unlikely to realize their potential.
- Strengthen networking and build leadership capacity among migrant-led grassroots organisations to ensure strategic leadership, effectiveness and resilience in advancing rights and justice for migrants
- Empowering migrants and migrant communities to understand and challenge structural racism whilst advancing equity of rights and racial justice.
How we tackle structural change
- Transforming the Hostile environment (campaign and activism on Immigration fees/charges, immigration detention, No Recourse to Public funds, anti-racism,)
- Equity of Rights &Justice– Legal aid for immigration, fee waivers for immigration application, more provision of free legal immigration advice, OISC accreditation & community legal practice, resisting a 2 tier justice system
- Power & Privilege- Challenging entrenched cultures of power & privilege- From Exclusive to Inclusive leadership to create transformational change. Migrant Action is committed to grassroots development of emerging leaders rooted in lived experience and working to create real system change
- Research-based structural change Through our casework, we witness and highlight the direct impact of systemic failings and structural injustice. Our research work investigates and articulates the structural underpinnings of migrant and wider social injustice. Drawing from the research analysis and findings, Migrant Action works collaboratively with other partner organisations in advocating for system and social change. Migrant Action has forged partnerships with the Universities of Swansea and the University of Leeds in order to effectively articulate and advance rights, justice and structural change. ( see articles, blogs, projects etc)
- Radicalised Labour and Work Justice
- Homelessness and Destitution
