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, 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”.
Bishop Paul McAleenan, lead bishop for Migrants and Refugees for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW), told The Tablet today that since the Nationality and Borders Bill was first proposed the Church and a host other charities and agencies have consistently and forcefully presented objections.
He said: “These concerns have not been listened to, worse, the cries of refugees and asylum seekers have been totally ignored, but we will continue to advocate the cause of all who seek refuge in this country doing all that is necessary to ensure their God given dignity is not ignored and their basic human needs kept in public view.”
The controversial overhaul of the immigration system will next be debated in the Lords before it can become law.
Caritas Social Action Network, an official agency of the bishops’ conference 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. On 5 December, Pope Francis 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. It warned that the Bill would create a two-tier system which discriminated against refugees depending on method of entry to the country. “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.”
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. One suggestion is writing to MPs to express concerns about the Bill and call for a just and person-centred asylum system which respects the dignity of the person. Another is welcoming a refugee or asylum seeker. The Community Sponsorship Scheme, pioneered by Catholic parishes, has already enabled over 350 communities to resettle a refugee family. Prayer is another suggestion and in the season of Advent, the Cycle of Prayer includes Migrants and Refugees.
Restore, a project of Birmingham Churches Together which supports migrants and refugees, tweeted: “Massively disappointing news but this is a setback not an ending.” It added that the campaign will go on, for “asylum seekers should have the right to work to take them out of poverty, use their skills, contribute to the economy and aid integration.”
Clause nine 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 this week for refugees, organised by Westminster Justice and Peace, the London Catholic Worker and Columban Missionaries.
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