I am deeply concerned that the position of existing refugees who already hold five-year refugee permission is not receiving enough attention in the discussion about the Government's proposed Earned Settlement changes.
I want to explain our family's experience because I believe it represents the situation of many existing refugees who have spent years rebuilding their lives in the UK and are now facing renewed uncertainty.
Our immigration history – almost 20 years waiting for security
I came to the UK in 2007, when I was around 30 years old, and claimed asylum in the same year. My appeal was allowed in February 2020, but because of lengthy Home Office delays, including COVID-related delays, I did not receive my five-year refugee permission until 2022.
I was expecting to complete my five years and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in 2027.
My wife also claimed asylum in 2013 and received five-year refugee permission in 2022. We both already hold refugee permission and made our plans around the five-year settlement route.
I am now approaching 50. Almost 20 years of my adult life have passed while waiting for safety and stability. After everything we experienced, I genuinely believed that we were finally approaching the end of this difficult journey.
Now the possibility of being moved onto a route requiring another 15 or 20 years of waiting is devastating. If I had to wait another 15 years, I would be around 65 before reaching settlement.
What makes this even more frightening is the thought that, even if we accepted such a long wait, another future Government could introduce further changes. Would we then have to start worrying all over again? How can anyone build a secure life when the rules affecting their future may keep changing?
Our children and family life
We have three children, all born in the UK, including two British citizens. This country is their home. Their education, friendships and future are all here.
Our older children are in Years 9 and 10 and approaching their important GCSE years. They are hardworking and doing very well academically. One attends a grammar school, and the other is also among the top pupils in their class.
We have worked hard to give our children the best education and opportunities. We want them to grow up feeling secure, achieve their ambitions and contribute positively to British society and the economy.
We do not want our children to inherit the same uncertainty and difficulties that we have experienced throughout our lives.
Medical conditions and the impact on our family
I have experienced serious health problems, including Hodgkin lymphoma and thyroid cancer. I underwent cancer treatment but continued working for several years to support my family. Unfortunately, my health deteriorated and I recently had to leave my job.
Our family is already dealing with health difficulties and financial pressure. The uncertainty surrounding these proposals has added considerable emotional pressure, including stress, anxiety and low mood.
After almost 20 years of waiting, I thought we were finally approaching stability. Instead, we are facing the possibility of another lengthy period of insecurity.
Why existing refugees must be considered separately
There are many other refugees in similar circumstances. They may have:
- Already received five-year refugee permission and expected to apply for ILR after completing five years.
- Waited 15, 20 years or longer for their asylum claims and appeals to be resolved.
- British-born children and children who are British citizens.
- Children who have grown up in the UK, attended school here and built their entire futures here.
- Serious medical conditions, disabilities or ongoing health difficulties.
- Worked, paid taxes, supported their families and contributed to British society.
- Established homes, careers, friendships and strong community connections in the UK.
- Made important family and financial decisions based on the five-year settlement arrangements they understood would apply to them.
These families are not newly arriving refugees. They have already been recognised and granted protection. Many have spent most of their adult lives trying to rebuild their futures in this country.
Previous Government assurances and the unanswered question
The Government previously gave assurances that people who claimed asylum before 2 March 2026 and were granted five-year refugee permission would remain eligible to apply for settlement after five years.
However, the latest proposals have created serious uncertainty about whether existing refugees will be moved onto the new Core Protection route.
Despite concerns being raised by refugee organisations and MPs, the Government has not clearly explained whether people who already hold five-year permission will be protected.
This raises important questions about legal certainty, legitimate expectations and transitional arrangements for people who were already granted protection under the previous system.
We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for fairness, legal certainty and respect for the expectations created when the Government granted us five-year refugee permission.
We are human beings too. We have families, children, health difficulties, hopes and dreams. We have spent many years trying to build a safe and stable life in the UK. We want our children to have opportunities, security and a future without the constant fear that their family's immigration position could change again.
I am sharing our experience because I believe the Government and the wider public need to understand that existing refugees are not simply immigration statistics. Behind every case there are real people, families, children and many years of waiting.
Please do not let existing refugees who already hold five-year permission be forgotten in this debate.