Catholic Bishops from England, Wales and Scotland have urged the government to rethink Immigration Bill amendments, noting that new measures “will drastically alter people's opportunities to build their lives here and contribute to society”.
The new points-based immigration system includes an income threshold to stop certain “low-skill” immigrants from reaching the UK for work. Home Secretary Priti Patel insists that the government's plans will lead to a “high-skill” economy that, “will attract people we need to drive our country through the recovery stage of coronavirus”.
The bishops’ conference’s lead bishop for migrants and refugees, Bishop Paul McAleenan and his counterpart in Scotland, Bishop William Nolan raised concerns that the minimum income threshold for family visas “unjustly separates” tens of thousands of couples, parents and children, and that the abrupt end of free movement within the EU “will result in even more families being kept apart by this policy”.
They suggested that “some key workers who have played a vital role during the Covid-19 pandemic are among those who cannot be reunited with their families because they do not meet the minimum income threshold”.
The bishops hoped that MPs from all parties “will take this opportunity to help create a more just and humane immigration system”. They also urge Priti Patel to use the bill to end indefinite detention of immigrants, condemning its “devastating consequences” for the vulnerable, including victims of torture. They suggest repeal of the offence of illegal working: “Fear of prosecution currently deters people from escaping abusive employment practices or presenting themselves to the police.”
The bishops are also concerned that new rules imposed last year affect priests from overseas, reporting that new tier two visas have more than doubled the costs incurred by parishes arranging supply cover. Seminaries are finding that priests must face a new language test with extra logistical and cost implications.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to build a better future in which the UK has the skills so that our economy thrives after coronavirus. Change is vital if we are to deliver a high-skill, high-wage and high productivity economy.”
The government has consistently stated it values the role of faith in public life in the UK and recognise that ministers of religion play a central role. However, there is also concern that ministers of religion who come to the UK are able to integrate with the wider community, and this includes being able to speak English.
The spokesperson said: “We continue to welcome ministers of religion of all faiths to the UK though our ministers of religion visa category.”
The Home Office is expected to open key routes from Autumn 2020, so that migrants can start to apply ahead of the system taking effect in January 2021.
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