Majority of respondents said proposals and accompanying anti-migrant narratives are worsening conditions for migrants
A report published last week by the Migrants' Rights Network (MRN) in collaboration with the migrant-led Not a Stranger campaign presents findings from a survey of migrants in the UK, revealing widespread anxiety over the Government's proposed changes to immigration policy and the introduction of an "earned settlement" model.
You can download the 17-page report here.
The survey received responses from 225 migrants residing in the UK, representing a range of visa statuses, nationalities and locations. It found that almost 75% of respondents reported feeling uncertain about long-term settlement, with proposed changes described as having "radically altered" their plans and left many concerned about their immigration status.
Under the earned settlement model, the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) will increase from five years to ten, alongside new conditions for eligibility. Last week, the Home Affairs Committee warned that uncertainty over how the model will be implemented and the lack of a clear timeline is causing unnecessary distress among migrants.
MRN's report found that respondents linked the uncertainty to what they described as an unstable and unpredictable immigration system, which they said increases the risk of losing status, particularly where additional visa renewals may be required. Eighty per cent reported high levels of frustration, 79% reported worry, 75% anxiety and 47% said they felt isolated.
Respondents described the settlement changes as unfair, including in relation to the impact on refugees. One respondent said: "It makes people wait too long for Indefinite Leave to Remain and citizenship. Refugees live here for many years, work, study, and follow the rules but they still can't get citizenship." Another respondent described the proposals as "inhumane" and said that a longer qualifying period "increases the possibility of discrimination by abusive employers."
The report also details the psychological effects of the proposals, with respondents living with "constant anxiety". It states that this anxiety is affecting respondents' health and, in some cases, making life in the UK "a living hell", especially for families worried about facing the extra financial cost of repeated visa applications.
"The financial requirements are out of reach for so many people… and the new proposed rules wouldn't allow me to stay," one respondent stated. Another said: "It's really hard to plan for things and spend months (or years) preparing under the circumstances and for it to suddenly change ([going from 5-10 years for ILR], massive income hikes). … I spent months planning and then changes meant all of it was worthless."
Some respondents expressed concern that further rules could change without warning, affecting their ability to pass through border controls or renew visas. The report notes that such concerns are linked by respondents to previous incidents affecting EU citizens in 2021.
Respondents also described broader psychological impacts, including feeling "constantly afraid that the tide might turn" against migrants. One respondent explained: "I work with migrants, including refugees, at a hate crime charity. Racist behaviour is increasing even in diverse cities due to the current political climate. People are scared. Witnessing this makes me feel vulnerable too, and I'm now always on high alert."
More broadly, MRN's survey found that 92% of respondents believe the way people talk about immigration has changed for the worse, and 60% believe that negative public discourse about migrants affects how they are treated. 85% said they worry about racism, discrimination, or hostility, linked to anti-immigration narratives. One respondent said the negative comments over immigration made migrants feel "unwelcome and degraded".
MRN said "it is clear that the isolation and distance many migrants feel is the result of anti-migrant public attitudes stoked by the Government and the media."
Meanwhile, news media reported yesterday that the Government could soften the impact of its earned settlement proposals following concerns among Labour MPs.
The Guardian reported that the Prime Minister is "considering exempting large numbers of people from the proposed changes". The Financial Times said that the Prime Minister's team had "refused to say whether it stood by all aspects of home secretary Shabana Mahmood's controversial immigration reforms". A spokesman added that the reforms would be "fair and compassionate".
The Independent reported that a Government spokesperson later sought to clarify the situation and said the "position has not changed". The spokesperson continued: "The government will double the route to settlement from five to 10 years. As announced in November, we are consulting to apply this change to those in the UK today, but have not received settled status. We are currently reviewing the 200,000 responses and will outline our response in due course."