At Oasis, a charity that supports asylum seekers and refugees in Cardiff, the UK Government’s proposed asylum reforms have caused uncertainty and concern among the people we work with. 

Oasis CEO, Susie Ventris-Field, said: “There are huge implications from the announcements that people are still absorbing, and much of the detail is unclear, but the fear, uncertainty and frustration are immediate. It is essential the voices, experiences and opinions of people seeking sanctuary are represented in developing the asylum policy that has such a huge impact on every single aspect of their lives - where they can live, if they can see their families, if they can study and work and, ultimately, if they can be safe. At Oasis, we stand in solidarity with our community and will continue to share their voices and views.”

One asylum seeker at Oasis said: “Refugees have fled a dictatorial country and now face another set of dictatorial laws that directly interfere with their entire life…A person who enters the UK via irregular means has no choice as there are no ways to get a visa, and in their home country they are a target….These laws strip individuals of their ability to grow and exercise their rights.”

For some people, the changes are too much to absorb: “With the constant changes, it feels like there is no rest, just going from one stress to another.” 

Many people said they don’t know if the changes will impact them, or only new arrivals and don’t know what the changes will mean for them or their families. 

Parents are worried about their children: “Children who have lived in the UK a long time, they have gone to school here, made friends, adopted the culture - it is their home. We’re not worried about ourselves but about our children’s future.” Parents wanted to know how children might be forcibly removed and felt very scared by the proposal that this might happen and the impact it would have. 

One mother shared her worries about the family reunion pause and proposed changes: “Some of my kids are still in a war zone. I was going to apply for family reunion but now how can I? And if my country is one of the countries where visas won’t be allowed, how will I see them again? It’s very stressful.” 

The proposed reassessment every two and a half years was a particular point of concern: “How can the UK Government say the [home] country is safe? For who? Some people think the [leaders of my country] are good, but as a woman, it isn’t safe for me.” Another added: “Governments back home can lie - they can fake a situation, and say it’s safe. Then if you are sent back and killed, it is too late. There is no second chance. Dead is dead.”

The regular reassessment also makes it much more difficult for people to build a life in the UK. With the 5-year prospect of indefinite leave to remain: “…you learn English, get to know the culture and start to build a life.” If this is temporary, it reduces the incentive to integrate: “20 years is too long to have uncertainty.”

Several people shared the view that they support having systems in place for those who abuse the asylum system, break the rules or don’t try to integrate, but felt there were a lot of individual circumstances to consider. Regarding working illegally, people felt it was the wrong thing to do but highlighted that when you are only getting £8 per week, perhaps trying to pay back debts and loans back home, or support family, and are not allowed to work, it puts you in a very difficult position: “Better to allow asylum seekers to work. People want to work, but asylum seekers have to wait for too long to get a permit.” 

*names and identifying information has been removed for those quoted.