Short intro round – name and why picketing the Home Office is important to you – but just one or 2 sentences only.
- Has anyone got any personal experiences of Border Control they can share ?
- What do you know about Border Control in UK?
Our comments
Known as Border Force, (says it all) a law-enforcement command within the Home Office, responsible for frontline border control operations at air, sea & rail ports in UK ‘it secures the border & promotes national prosperity by facilitating the legitimate movement of individuals & goods whilst preventing those that would cause harm from entering the UK’. Achieved through immigration & customs checks at ports & airports. Run by UK Border Agency part of HMs civil service.
- Do you know anything about the legality of the border system?
Our comments
Violations of International Human Rights Law.
The Anti Refugee Law (Nationality & Borders Bill).
New legislation – the Illegal Migration bill 2022-23 seeks to “prevent & deter unlawful migration.”
Lack of Protection for women & children, particularly latter if on their own.
Many Human Rights violations occur at Borders.
- Are the armed forces or military involved in any way? Do you know what companies are profiting from the border control system and do any of them have connections to the military?
Our comments
The military are involved in this country (& others). The Royal Navy was put in charge of the channel situation, by Boris, for 8mths, though now back with the Home Office.
The Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC) brings together military & civilian staff with the National Crime Agency to co-ordinate the governments response using land based radar, cameras etc to track boats & traffickers.
Many of the Border companies today are also military companies seeking to diversify their security products to a rapidly expanding new market. These are often displaying their wares at Arms Fayres. Border security have become a growing global industry with players in Australia, USA & Europe.
Arms companies both profit from fuelling the reasons why people are forced to flee, then profit from militarising borders thus preventing refugees from seeking safety & asylum.
Many companies are profiting from Border Control. In the UK our savings, pensions, insurance are directly invested in these companies via the giant Asset Management Fund.
They have connections with the military through arms sales. More ‘weapons of war’ new technology, AI drones & surveillance equipment is being marketed. Companies provide Biometrics, surveillance monitoring, migrant detention & deportation e.g G45 Mitie, Leonardo UK (partner with UK armed forces)
As the market for border security expands the UK, & other countries (e.g. EU & Turkey) by the process of externalisation, pressure other countries into acting as border guards to stop people reaching our borders. Climate change & pandemics further accelerates the border ‘militarism’ & surveillance all in the name of public safety! The border industry together with military interests has reinforced the perception that immigration is THE National & International security issue rather than Climate change
- Where are refugees and asylum seekers being held?
Our comments
Refugees & asylum seekers are housed in a variety of ‘Accommodation’. These facilities may depend on where people arrive from and/or come from, also how they arrived. There is a difference between government sponsored schemes & so called illegal routes in for example boats and lorries.
Asylum seekers are initially sent to one of 7 Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) or Short Term Holding Facilities (STHFs) & prisons if detained. For others there is initial accommodation in Reception Centres, but if no place available, at an interim hostel in Croydon while accommodation is looked for. Hotels/b&bs are often used as an alternative. Military barracks have also been used. And now barges are being considered.
- How fair do you think the system is?
Our comments
It is not illegal to be an asylum because seeking asylum is a legal process
Not fair because based on ‘legal’ routes of which there are very few. No ‘Irregular Means’. Also people coming from some countries are discriminated against more than others, e.g ehnicity, gender, diversity & religions If people come to the UK under a Resettlement scheme, each of which, e.g. Syrian, Afghan, Ukraine is also different, they have different rights again from those who come outside a scheme. (Recognized as a refugee under the 1951 convention UNHCR)
People are supposed to register themselves in the first safe country they get to before the UK e.g France. Some people have no way to come by a legal route because they do not have the documentation required or able to get to the right offices to apply. If trafficked they have no say in where they arrive ‘illegally’. People are fleeing conflict & famine.
Huge delays in ‘processing’ at Home Office, bureaucracy. Increasing backlog of asylum decisions.
UK increasingly perpetuating a Hostile Environment.
Privatisation of detention centres exacerbates problems of neglect, bad conditions, lack of medical & legal support, decent food, over crowding of detention centres & the consequences of these.
All accommodation for asylum seekers is managed by large private companies. Mitie (of Manston infamy) holds 50% of the contract to the Home office for ‘detention facilities’, SERCO (Yarls Wood infamy) is another. The work is often outsourced via sub contracts to smaller companies.
Lack of regulation & inspection means that accommodation of all sorts often fails to meet basic/decent standards.
Not being allowed to work, or contribute in any way to society, or to start to build new lives, the separation from family & friends leads to resentments, and tensions not only for them but for the general public.
The Far Right are being encouraged by the language of racism & discrimination coming especially from politicians & others in power. This is feeding into society as whole.
- What might the militarism of border controls mean to ‘us’ – UK citizens?
Our comments
There are implications for the wider ‘state’.
Our society is becoming more authoritarian. With more surveillance, an increase in Stop & Search, less freedom to live freely & protest: Public Order Bill. Extending powers to manage public assemblies given to British Transport Police AND Ministry of Defence Police. Less diversity & building resilient communities, sharing skills & experiences.
Not able to give back to those ‘immigrant’ communities who have supported the UK in so many ways.
- What can we do to improve the situation for all refugees and asylum seekers and to make our society more compassionate and law abiding…….protest whilst we still can!
Our comments
Protest while we still can.
Talk to our MPs & if in Wales Senedd members.
Write letters to the press.
Have the ‘conversation’ with friends/ family/ neighbours.
Use social pressure on companies as human rights costs of the industry become clearer.
Support local, national, international groups. For example Safe Passage/ Freedom from Torture/ Refugee Action /Care for Calais.
Set up your own local refugee support group.
Encourage Nations, Counties, Cities, and Schools of Sanctuary.
Think compassionately rather than fearfully; love not hate.