Christians in Leicester & Leicestershire Against Modern Slavery (CLLAMS) is sending a letter to the Home Office in response to the proposed New Plan for Immigration – and is encouraging churches in the diocese to send their responses directly to the Home Office too, as well as encouraging individual congregants to contact their local MP about it.
CLLAMS is asking the Home Office to reconsider the plan as it says that the changes proposed will have a devastating impact on the lives of the most vulnerable in our society.
The scale of modern slavery in the UK is significant, and as Kat, a member of CLLAMS explains “under the new system victims of modern slavery in the UK will face much greater challenges in receiving help and support to leave their exploitative situations without simply being deported. Most people in situations of modern slavery cannot provide hard documented evidence that they are in exploitative situations and so under the new system victims are less likely to be heard, believed or protected. The proposed changes are coming from a place of fear of potential bogus applications for asylum, but in reality reports show that those are minimal. The proposed changes also do not offer victims of modern slavery opportunity for permanent leave to remain in the UK, which we feel is ignoring our duty of care and responsibility towards those in genuine need. Under the new system, many victims of modern slavery will be classed as ‘illegal’ migrants, which will further exclude them from being able to remain in the UK to receive support after their traumatic experiences.”
CLLAMS urge the Home Office to be reasonable and compassionate, recognising the absurdity of the expectations they want to place on survivors of exploitation or trafficking, and rethink their proposed changes.
The deadline for response to the plan is the 6 May. CLLAMS have taken a particular focus on those who are victims of modern slavery in the UK, and churches/individuals might choose to take a broader approach in their letters. You can download the CLLAM's letter here to use a template if you wish.
For more details about Christians in Leicester & Leicestershire Against Modern Slavery check out their Facebook page here.