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Breaking: Migrant parents screen video message across Westminster.

28th February 2025NewsCampaignsEventsCall for action

‘This week, Praxis campaigners screened a video message across Westminster to make migrant voices heard on child poverty. The video played on loop around Westminster, parking outside the Department for Education, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Home Office – the departments with the power to make change for migrant children living in poverty. With its Child Poverty Strategy due to be published in Spring, the Government has a unique opportunity to lift families living in vulnerable situations out of poverty and ensure all children can have the best start to life, no matter where they or their parents were born.’

You can watch it here:

We also have a write to Ministers campaign action live if you would like to share.

No child left behind: Take action now!

20th February 2025NewsCampaignsCall for action
This Government promised to cut child poverty. Right now, they are writing their strategy on how they’ll do it. The question is, will they protect every child from poverty or just British children? 1 in 3 children living in deep poverty are migrant children. This is not a coincidence. Hostile immigration policies drive migrant families into poverty.
With Praxis, Voices in Exile took action in writing to Liz Kendall and Bridget Phillipson to make sure no child is left behind.
You can take action and write here: https://act.praxis.org.uk/email-ministers-child-poverty-taskforce?utm_medium=share&utm_source=allies
Praxis also share a couple of explainers on the links between NRPF and poverty, and the solutions that government should consider,

Love in Limbo: Visa rules tearing families apart

17th February 2025NewsCampaignsCall for action
As loving couples and families will celebrate their love and relationships, this Valentines Day Voices in Exile stand with Reunite Families UK https://reunitefamiliesuk.co.uk/uk and a coalition of organisations, to use today to highlight how the hostile environment is preventing people from loving whoever they choose, resulting in their #LoveInLimbo
Every single day we see:
– People being impacted by the cruel spouse visa rules
– People being denied the possibility of being together
– Even if people meet the MIR needed to sponsor their loved ones, they are then penalised with extortionate visa fees
There must be a better way forward, one that does not willingly make the lives of so many people (and children) in our country so miserable. They, like everybody else deserve a fulfilling life here. #FamiliesBelongTogether

Open letter: Refugee citizenship rules ‘breeding division and distrust’

16th February 2025NewsCampaignsCall for action

Voices in Exile signed, along with 148 organisations, a letter urging the government and Home Secretary from citizenship rules which effectively banning tens of thousands of refugees from ever becoming British citizens. This garnered interest from The Guardian –

The online article can be read here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/16/starmer-union-ally-joins-opposition-to-rules-barring-citizenship-for-small-boat-refugees?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Below, you can see the printed headlines:

 

Race Equality Week 2025: Proud

6th February 2025NewsCampaignsEvents
We are proud to take part in Race Equality Week 2025, from February 3-9. It is an annual UK-wide movement uniting hundreds of thousands of organisations and individuals to address the barriers to race equality in the workplace.
This year’s theme is #EveryActionCounts. At Voices in Exile, we always stand by refugees and asylum seekers against racial discrimination and the hostile environment in Sussex and beyond. We all have a part to play.
Want to learn more and take part? Last year over 5 million people got involved – join us: https://www.raceequalitymatters.com/race-equality-week/

 

 

 

 

Joint statement: Six months since the racist riots, we urge the government to take action

31st January 2025NewsCampaignsCall for action

Voices in Exile joined 60 racial justice, migrants rights and Muslim organisations to call on the government to take action on growing levels of racism and the thread of the far right six months since the dangerous race riots.

You can read the full statement here: https://www.runnymedetrust.org/news/six-months-since-the-riots-charities-urge-the-government-to-take-action-on-the-growing-threat-of-the-far-right

The Guardian posted about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/31/illegal-among-words-most-often-linked-to-migrants-in-uk-politics-report-finds

Joint public letter: Reconsider the decision to suspend all Syrian asylum claims

19th December 2024NewsCampaignsCall for action

Part of Asylum Matters’ campaign to Fight the Anti Refugee Laws, Voices in Exile join over 730 organisations and individuals in signing a joint letter to Yvette Cooper to fight the decision to suspend all Syrian asylum claims, at a time when the safety of Syria is far from certain.

You can read it here: https://asylummatters.org/2024/12/14/joint-letter-to-the-home-secretary-syrian-asylum-claims/

‘It was signed by over 730 organisations and individuals on the frontline of providing support to people seeking asylum in our communities across the UK, urging the Home Office to reconsider the decision to suspend all Syrian asylum claims following the fall of the Assad regime. Over 200 organisations (across the four nations of the UK) and over 500 individuals (including doctors, professors, lecturers, trustees, volunteers, ESOL tutors, teachers, nurses, midwives, directors, consultants, faith leaders, solicitors, lawyers, immigration advisors, charity workers, writers, artists, photographers, trade unionists, local councillors, retirees, legal advisors, refugees, people seeking asylum, journalists, human rights advocates, interpreters, campaigners, support workers, students and more) who are proud to welcome people seeking safety, called on the Home Secretary to reverse the unprecedented move to announce a suspension of the asylum system for a single nationality group, at a time when the safety of Syria is far from certain.’

 

TAKE ACTION:

Firstly, if you haven’t already signed the Fight the Anti-Refugee Laws pledge, you can do so here.

The next step is for everyone to write to their MPs (using this super-easy template tool, where you only have to add your name and email address and it will automatically send) with two simple asks:

  1. Commit to urging the Home Secretary to resume the processing of asylum claims
  2. Commit to meeting with you as their constituent in January / the New Year

We’ve shown the Home Secretary there is public opposition to this move, and the media spotlight we’ve shone means she’s under pressure externally, now we need to ramp up the pressure she is receiving inside parliament.

If your MP agrees to meet with you in the New Year, let us know by emailing nathan@asylummatters.org and we can equip you with a briefing and some top tips on ‘elevator pitching’ to your MP to get the most out of the meeting.

Keep the pressure up on social media too by sharing the letter on your socials with the hashtag #FightTheAntiRefugeeLaws – you could even tag Yvette Cooper.

Majority of people crossing the Channel are refugees, new Refugee Council report shows

10th February 2024NewsCampaignsTagged

A recent report from The Refugee Council highlights that most people risking the dangerous journey across the Channel on small boats are, in fact, refugees fleeing persecution and violence. This comprehensive analysis shows that, contrary to common perceptions, a significant majority of those arriving on UK shores are eligible for asylum under international law.

The report’s findings underscore the importance of safe and legal routes for people seeking refuge, as well as the need for a compassionate response that recognises the legitimate protection needs of those arriving in the UK. The Refugee Council’s analysis also challenges stereotypes about Channel crossings, showing that many are escaping conflict, political oppression, or other serious threats to their lives.

At Voices in Exile, we encourage everyone to read the Refugee Council’s full report and press release to better understand the realities faced by refugees arriving in the UK.

Visit the Refugee Council website to explore this important research and join us in advocating for a just and humane asylum system: Read the full report and press release.