Lauren Starkey

The home secretary talks about her reforms to the asylum system, including reprocessing applications every two and a half years, as a means to end "pull factors" for refugees. This shows a disturbing lack of awareness about the current system. The majority of those seeking asylum who we work with come to the UK because they have existing ties to this country. It is where they feel the safest in rebuilding their lives after fleeing war and persecution. Despite the home secretary's claims to the contrary, the Home Office has neither the ability nor the resources to implement this policy in a workable way. We already see initial applications taking more than a year. To increase the number that need to be reviewed is unfeasible and costly. Not only that, it would leave people seeking safety and security in limbo, at more risk of becoming undocumented and exploited. This is a policy that is not supported by evidence, and instead has been designed to grab headlines with no thought to the harm it causes those individuals who hoped that they may find some safety here, and the economic and social costs to all of us. Daniel Sohege Director, Stand For All

My response in the Guardian to the Home Secretary's changes to asylum rules, and the utterly false claim that Labour's hostile and Inhumane anti-asylum policies reduce "pull factors".

In this current harsh world, let's warm a few hearts remembering the events of 7-8 March 1991, when the 90,000 people of Brindisi woke up to find 25,000 Albanians roaming the streets of their town. For perspective, that's roughly equivalent to 25k people suddenly landing in Hastings [Thread] >> 1

This idea that refugee status should be temporary and only last as long as a country is deemed to be “unsafe” is utter nonsense. The trauma which causes people to flee lasts a lifetime and cannot simply be undone once a state is (for example) no longer at war.

My grandfather-in-law fled Nazi Germany with his parents in 1938 and settled in the US. He refused to set foot back in Germany for over 60 years, despite all the changes made in the interim. It didn’t matter that Germany became “safe.” He wanted nothing to do with the place.

Survivors of trafficking are regularly subjected to immigration detention and retraumatised.

Amid a legal aid crisis that's even worse in detention, they are trapped, with no way of getting desperately needed advice and support.

I am so very very tired of the lives of people seeking protection being treated as a political football, their treatment being decided by whatever the politicians think will most appeal to voters. It always results in cruelty, chaos, and doesn’t actually make anyone happy.

Asylum policy shouldn’t be about “appealing to people who feel that we’ve lost control.” It shouldn’t be about appealing to anyone. It should be about doing what is best and safest for the people who are here seeking protection.

Brilliant 😑

People waiting more than a year can already apply for permission to work which is restricted to the salary list, so are they announcing something that already exists as if it’s a new policy???

'Shabana Mahmood’s Asylum Plans Will Put Lives at Risk for No Purpose' The Government talks about wanting to reduce division and increase integration and then implements policies which will do the complete opposite, argues Daniel Sohege

🔴‘Shabana Mahmood’s Asylum Plans Will Put Lives at Risk for No Purpose’

The Government talks about wanting to reduce division and increase integration and then implements policies which will do the complete opposite, argues @danielsohege.bsky.social

bylinetimes.com/2026/03/03/s...

I actually don't have words as to how angry I am.

Wonder what happened in these countries that people on student visas in the UK found themselves needing to apply for asylum instead of going home post 2021.

UK Labour are heartless bastards & apparently have bo idea whats happening in the world.

But fundamentally Mahmood’s video is just a shocking way to speak about people. Abandoning refugees is bad! Reducing numbers is not a valid policy goal! (Until you’ve sorted out the causes of forced migration, which she seems to have no interest in.) People aren‘t a means to a party political end!

This must be very universal because my husband’s Jewish and they tell the same joke but with synagogues 😂

Refugee status to be temporary as Shabana Mahmood rips up rules on UK asylum Home secretary announces 30-month protection limit, with refugees required to leave if their home countries are later judged safe

🧵 Some points about migration, asylum and 'deterrence':

In order for a government to deter people seeking asylum, they must cross a 'line of cruelty'. I think that what most governments - and people - fail to realise - is how extremely cruel a government must be to actually drive people away.

1/15

Refugee status to be temporary as Shabana Mahmood rips up rules on UK asylum Home secretary announces 30-month protection limit, with refugees required to leave if their home countries are later judged safe

Today is a dark day for anyone who believes in sanctuary in the UK.

People who've fled war and torture should be able to rebuild their lives in peace and security - not live under a constant threat of removal.

We must not stop fighting these appalling anti-refugee laws.

Refugee status to be temporary as Shabana Mahmood rips up rules on UK asylum Home secretary announces 30-month protection limit, with refugees required to leave if their home countries are later judged safe

This stinks at every level. What refugees desperately need after their claims are accepted is the stability to rebuild their lives. This change will cause immeasurable stress and anxiety to some of the most vulnerable people in the country

Putting things like basic ethics aside...

... does anyone really believe that the Home Office, which cant deal with its present asylum responsibilities, is going to be able to review every application, every 30 months?

I have a bridge to sell you

Deaths of 22 children in Channel due to ‘catastrophic failure’ by UK and France, NGO says Project Play finds UK taxpayers are funding ‘record child fatalities’ and ‘repeated violence’ against children in northern France

Deaths in channel are preventable, but require governments to focus on ensuring people can seek asylum. It's repeatedly shown that hostile measures increase death tolls. Labour's decision to halt family reunification alone is already putting more children at risk.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

@greenpartyhan.bsky.social

In my entire adult life, I’ve never once woken up after a vote to hear that the thing I wanted to win had won. It’s nice! I’d like it to happen more often please 💚

But it should now be clear that we can have a progressive conversation on migration if people are BRAVE. So if you’ve ever wondered before if it was time to step in - it is. We must not lose momentum, things do not have to be this way. By the next election, everything could be different.

Today’s win in Gorton and Denton shows such an utter rejection of that idea. But we still have a long way to go. The language and hate for migrant communities has been set and will continue. Charities are still under-resourced and under physical/political attack.

A reflection from the leader of a migration charity. We have been told over and over again by politicians - even from “partners” and “allies” that we will not win on our policies unless we concede. Throw some migrants under the bus - they’re too unfavourable. Public doesn’t agree with us.

A very excellent thread. Call things what they are. It’s important.

Wrote this for @migrantvoice.bsky.social on hostility of this government's changes to immigration rules for "earned settlement". We hear politicians talk about "British values", "integration" and "fairness". Labour destroys any concept of all three with its treatment of migrants through this policy.

Jim Ratcliffe sorry language 'offended some' after immigration comments The Manchester United co-owner previously said the UK had been

Once again, people demanding an “open debate” on things we’ve been forced to debate for fucking ages are simply demanding the right to be vile and bigoted without pushback

If no one hears from me again, it’s because I spent time helping 3 separate people last week who all had terrible colds and I seem to have picked up all of their germs and they’ve combined to form a sort of super cold and I don’t think I’m gonna make it. Tell my family I love them ⚰️

How to tell a real Christian from a fake-ass JD Vance pretender: ask them about their stance on immigration.

I’m not what you’d call a hardcore believer these days, but I can say for certain that the values I live by now are profoundly linked to my Catholic upbringing.

Do they understand how mad they sound? As if anyone has ever decided to cross the Channel in a small boat because, if they make it, they might get to take a free taxi to a doctor's appointment?

"Pull factors" on steroids.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Labour is creating a vulnerable migrant underclass Chasing Reform on immigration will only entrench an unequal system and increase resentment

Labour is creating a vulnerable migrant underclass

@zoejardiniere.bsky.social