The Government's so-called 'Illegal Migration Bill' has entered a critical voting stage.
We know this Bill will not deliver the fair and humane asylum system we so desperately need, both to protect the rights of refugees and to end the cost and chaos. However, there is still an opportunity to make sure that MPs vote for protective amendments that would reduce its harmful impact.
Please take this opportunity to use your voice and write to your MP ahead of the Bill’s return to the Commons.
Template letter
Dear [name of MP],
The Illegal Migration Bill will return to the Commons for consideration of amendments on Tuesday 11th July, continuing until Parliament breaks for recess on 20th July.
Peers have voted to support crucial amendments to the legislation which will ensure vital protections for some of the most vulnerable people fleeing persecution and war. In particular, I am urging you to back the following amendments:
- On Inadmissibility: Amendment 15 sponsored by Lord German in the Lords to ensure anyone who has not been removed within 6 months can be re-admitted to our asylum system. Refugee Council predict that by the 3rd year of the Bill becoming law, up to 192,670 people will be inadmissible but not removed, costing up to £9.6bn on detention. The ongoing legal wrangling over Rwanda demonstrates that third country removals are difficult. It would be more humane, and less costly, to ensure people’s claims are processed if they cannot be removed. This is even more necessary as the majority of people crossing in small boats come from high grant rate countries where they face persecution and war, including Afghanistan, Syria and Iran. The Lords backed this Amendment by 204 votes to 168.
- On excluding unaccompanied children from inadmissibility: unaccompanied children should be excluded from the inadmissibility regime and duty to remove, as per Amendment 14 sponsored by Lord Alf Dubs. The Lords backed this Amendment by 185 votes to 133.
- On child detention time limits: the Government must reinstate existing detention time limits - introduced by the Conservative Government under David Cameron - to 24 hours for children. Baroness Mobarik led this amendment and it passed by 230 votes to 152.
- On restricting the transfer of children from Local Authority care: it is vital children are safeguarded and there is no conflict with the Children’s Act. Bishop of Durham amendment number 81 passed 218 votes to 158.
The UK has a long and proud history of providing sanctuary to some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Most recently, we rightly welcomed Afghans fleeing the Taliban and Ukrainians forced to leave their homes following Putin’s invasion.
When Rishi Sunak addressed the nation upon becoming Prime Minister in October he promised to bring ‘compassion to the challenges we face.’ This Bill is in no way compassionate, nor does it deal with the challenges facing the asylum system. It will treat people seeking safety, including children, in a manner comparable to criminals and does nothing to tackle people smuggling gangs or the record high asylum backlog. Under this legislation, many thousands of people risk being detained each year at huge expense to the taxpayer and, unable to be returned to their home country or elsewhere, will be left in permanent limbo at risk of destitution and exploitation.
As your constituent and a supporter of the Refugee Council I urge you to oppose this Bill and back the amendments when it returns to the Commons. I hope you will call on the Government to rethink their approach to small boat crossings and respond compassionately, ensuring our international legal obligations are fulfilled.
Yours sincerely,
(Your name)
