Asylum Matters
@asylummatters.bsky.social
5.6K followers 160 following 390 posts
Campaigning collaboratively, locally and nationally, to transform asylum in the UK.
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asylummatters.bsky.social
When irresponsible politicians try to divide our communities, what do we do? We speak up, we stand together, we stay strong.

We are, and always will be, an island of solidarity, not of strangers.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Headline from the Mirror newspaper reads "refugee and migrant groups join with hundreds to warn again 'politics of division'
asylummatters.bsky.social
Well done to the Welsh Government for speaking up for sanctuary 👏

Cutting through misinformation to explain what aiming to be a nation of sanctuary really means and why Wales is proud of the welcome it offers.

More of this from all UK leaders, please!
Written Statement: Nation of Sanctuary for people placed in Wales | GOV.WALES
Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd & Chief Whip
www.gov.wales
Reposted by Asylum Matters
rainbowmigration.bsky.social
🎟️Have you got your ticket to our event in support of @right-to-remain.bsky.social National Day of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention, in collaboration with @beyonddetention.bsky.social ?

Grab your free ticket now: buff.ly/9xVoymG

#NoPrideInDetention #EndLGBTQIDetention
White text and icons on a black background with a rainbow heart with barbed wire and the Beyond Detention logo. The text reads "Have you got your ticket? End Immigration Detention. 6-8 pm on 14/10/2025. Secret location in London N1. Short film screening and talks, letter-writing to people in detention, placard-making for the National Day of Solidarity on 18 October"
asylummatters.bsky.social
Ending family reunion will tear families apart and put children's lives at risk. Cutting settlement rights will make it harder for refugees to feel in our communities. These plans don't end a 'golden ticket' - they strip away basic decency.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
'Immoral new asylum plans will mean more children dying in the Channel'
Louise Calvey, executive director of Asylum Matters, argues that Keir Starmer's decision to end refugee 'golden tickets' removes a vital safe route used by women and children
www.mirror.co.uk
asylummatters.bsky.social
Safety, the right to rebuild a life and be with your family aren't a "golden ticket". They're the basic rights any decent society should give people who aren't safe in their home country.
We all must stand against this appalling attack on refugee rights.
Starmer to end asylum ‘golden ticket’ of resettlement and family reunion rights
People granted asylum will have to earn right to invite family in plan charities call ‘straight from populist playbook’
www.theguardian.com
Reposted by Asylum Matters
cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social
Welcome to City of Sanctuary! 💫

We bring communities together to build a society where everyone belongs and everyone matters.

At a time of rising hostility, we create safe spaces, challenge division and champion human dignity.

We are a movement of welcome - and we can’t wait for you to join us.
Reposted by Asylum Matters
helenbamber.bsky.social
It is horrendous that people who come to the UK to seek safety after fleeing torture and trafficking, are met with further violence, creating more trauma. This is what happens when dangerous rhetoric and misinformation are spread, emboldened and legitimised.

1/2
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Man arrested after fire at London asylum seekers' hotel
The blaze is being treated as a hate crime by officers investigating.
www.bbc.co.uk
asylummatters.bsky.social
Imagine being a refugee, finally given status after years of waiting. All this time you've been banned from work, so you volunteered, to keep up your skills and keep busy.
Now, you're expected to instantly get a job AND do more free labour?

www.lbc.co.uk/article/mahm...
Migrants told to learn English, avoid crime, and volunteer to stay in Britain, Home Secretary to say | LBC
The Home Secretary will lay out proposals for tightening up migration laws in a speech at Labour conference on Monday
www.lbc.co.uk
Reposted by Asylum Matters
homelesslink.bsky.social
With 63 other expert organisations, we’ve written to Government to strongly oppose the sudden reduction in the asylum accommodation move-on period for newly recognised refugees.

Read our joint letter in full in the The Guardian today 👇

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Scrap policy that gives refugees with leave to remain 28 days to find housing, say UK groups
Halving time asylum seekers have to leave Home Office accommodation will make thousands homeless at time when ‘racist sentiment’ is on the rise
www.theguardian.com
asylummatters.bsky.social
Reality check - most of us:
🤝 Want to mix with people from different backgrounds
🧡 Think our community is peaceful & friendly
💷 Care far more about cost of living than migration
So why do so many politicians focus on demonising migrants above all else?
Nigel Farage fails in major move as silent majority aren't fooled
The Giga Poll of more than 45,300 people covering over 80 issues provides hope that the country is not completely in the grip of racial tensions
www.mirror.co.uk
asylummatters.bsky.social
"Targeting refugees will do nothing to tackle structural issues or improve people’s lives. It only serves as a dangerous smokescreen to scapegoat the most vulnerable"

If there's one message the new Home Secretary needs to hear, it's this:

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
More than 100 charities call for home secretary to stop ‘scapegoating’ migrants
The letter claimed that blaming migrants for societal issues had sown ‘anger and division’ in the community
www.independent.co.uk
asylummatters.bsky.social
The Home Secretary just told people seeking safety "your only route into the UK should be a safe and legal one".
She's right.
Everyone should be able to seek sanctuary safely. But it's her Government that refuses to create safe routes - forcing people to risk dangerous ones.
asylummatters.bsky.social
Constantly shifting the goalposts for what "good enough" looks like will mean migrants, including refugees, are never allowed to feel safe and settled.
It's chilling to see the Home Secretary say "living and working" isn't enough - and to wonder what more she could possibly demand.
Text from a Sky News article reads: "Ms Mahmood added: "We need legal migration, it is a good thing. We are a country that has always welcomed people who want to come and work here.

"But I think in addition to living and working here there is a bigger thing to do as well which is to make sure that people are making a contribution to their wider community and wider society."
asylummatters.bsky.social
While our leaders fixate on distractions like digital ID, and the punitive, unworkable 1-in-1-out plan, here's something that would actually make the asylum system better for everyone: working rights. A 'win win' according to The Economist:
Britain’s work restrictions set up asylum-seekers to fail
The economic benefits of relaxing the rules are clear—as are the political obstacles to doing so
www.economist.com
asylummatters.bsky.social
It doesn't matter where we're from: we all deserve dignity and a decent quality of life. The TUC is absolutely right to say that building a better system for all of us would mean building a better, fairer system for people seeking safety.
It is time the left made a case for immigration – and how to control it
A credible migration plan means investing in UK skills, enforcing fair rules, and building a country where all workers – wherever they’re from – are treated with dignity, writes Paul Nowak
buff.ly
asylummatters.bsky.social
"I am not a stranger; I’m part of the UK’s everyday story.”
Solidarity with anyone feeling afraid after Reform's appalling policy announcement yesterday. Together we must fight this tide of anti-migrant hatred. We won't let our communities be torn apart.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
‘Britain is my home – but Farage’s new plan has me fearing for my future’
As Nigel Farage vows to ditch indefinite leave to remain for migrants, those who have made a life in the UK share their fears about the plan
www.independent.co.uk
Reposted by Asylum Matters
praxisprojects.bsky.social
“This all makes you feel very unstable. But this is my life, this is where I am. It is very unsettling; I’m worried for my and my family’s future.” Nish, Youth Organiser at Praxis

Nish secured Indefinite Leave to Remain after a decade of visa applications.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
‘Britain is my home – but Farage’s new plan has me fearing for my future’
As Nigel Farage vows to ditch indefinite leave to remain for migrants, those who have made a life in the UK share their fears about the plan
www.independent.co.uk
Reposted by Asylum Matters
ramfel.bsky.social
This is a scary announcement by Reform, 1 step away from so-called remigration.
The government must call this out for what it is: racism.
Anything less, such as talking about how it won't work in practical terms, is a moral failure & effectively validates these views.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform vows to scrap indefinite leave to remain for migrants
The party says scrapping the scheme and restricting migrant access to benefits will save hundreds of billions of pounds.
www.bbc.co.uk
asylummatters.bsky.social
This is what scapegoating of people seeking safety by mainstream parties leads to. Not placating anti-migrant extremists, but egging them on. This terrifying plan to attack our friends & neighbours shows why we must keep fighting for the rights of all migrants.

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Newspaper headline reads "Farage: I'll kick out hundreds of thousands"
asylummatters.bsky.social
Reminder: no one should be living in a converted hotel while waiting for an asylum decision.
Successive governments, not individual refugees, are to blame for the crisis in asylum accommodation - here's how our leaders could close the hotels:
asylummatters.bsky.social
Today, a human being was robbed of their right to ask for safety. We don't know why they risked their life to reach the UK - but we know the very least they deserved was a fair hearing. We know they didn't deserve to be punished for using the only route available to them.
Headline from BBC News reads "first migrant deported to France under one in one out deal". The word migrant is crossed out with "person" in handwriting style font above it. Deported to France is corrected to 'denied their human right to seek safety'