Justice and Peace Scotland has criticised the passing of the Nationality and Borders Bill at its third reading in the House of Commons.
Bishop William Nolan and Jill Kent, the president and chair, said last week that the Bill “represents a disgraceful attack on vulnerable people” and “we share the concerns voiced by the UNHCR, the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, senior police, and the unanimous voice of all those who work directly with asylum seekers and victims of modern slavery that this Bill will not achieve its aims”.
The controversial overhaul of the immigration system will next be debated in the Lords before it can become law.
The Caritas Social Action Network, an official agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference for England and Wales, with 51 grassroots charities, issued a statement on 8 December quoting both Cardinal Nichols and Pope Francis.
“Focused international cooperation, safe routes to sanctuary and joint efforts to tackle poverty are all needed in the face of a global flood of desperate humanity,” said Cardinal Nichols after 27 refugees drowned in the Channel on 24 November.
Pope Francis has urged that those seeking sanctuary, “be welcomed, protected, supported and integrated.”
Csan underlined that in international law, it is legal for anyone to seek asylum in a country which is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and the UK is a signatory.
Csan warned that the Bill would create a two-tier system which discriminated against refugees depending on method of entry to the country, adding: “The Bill does not seek to create safe and managed routes for those seeking asylum, which plays into the hands of the criminal gangs who traffic and exploit vulnerable people seeking safety.”
The SVP and the Jesuit Refugee Service UK have produced a campaign toolkit, examining the Bill in the light of Catholic Social Teaching and proposing responses. Restore, a refugee project of Birmingham Churches Together, said its campaign would continue, for asylum seekers should have the right “to use their skills and contribute to the economy."
Clause 9 of the bill is causing particular controversy as it means people with dual nationality, or who were born outside the UK, could be stripped of British citizenship. Around 250,000 people so far have signed a petition to remove this clause. Prayer vigils have been held for refugees, organised by Westminster Justice and Peace, the London Catholic Worker, and Columban Missionaries.
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