1. Asylum seekers in the UK
2. Migrant workers from the EU
3. The EU, Immigration and Asylum Seekers
4. Controls on Immigration
1. Asylum seekers in the UK
Summary: In the EU Sweden and France and Italy receive the most asylum applications, followed by the UK.
Asylum seekers have to prove their status as a refugee – that is, someone who has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
Migration comes both from Europe and beyond
Humanitarian Protection may be granted to anyone unable to demonstrate a claim for asylum but who would face a serious risk of inhuman treatment or torture. Discretionary Leave to remain covers a range of other situations.
Since 2002 asylum seekers no longer have the right to work in the UK.
Those who qualify for Home Office asylum support are provided with “no choice” accommodation and a weekly subsistence set at 70% of income levels for UK adult residents.
Those granted leave to remain in the UK continue to receive this support for 28 days, after which they are responsible for their own accommodation and support.
If their claim is refused, support continues for 21 days, after which they become failed asylum seekers pending removal.
In the first quarter of 2008 15,840 people who have no right to be in the UK were deported or left voluntarily.
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2. Migrant workers from the EU
Summary: Significant movement of migrant workers from the EU and elsewhere in Europe into the UK rose considerably from the mid 1980s, though the net impact was low. In 2002 migration from the EU to the UK was 89,000, while 129,000 migrated from the UK to the EU. The surge occurred when the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Slovenia joined the EU in 2004. These countries are known as the A8. There was a further slight rise in 2007 when Bulgaria and Romania, known as the A2, joined.
Croatia, Turkey and Macedonia (FYR) have applications for membership in the pipeline. Registering for work
Nationals from the A8 countries must register under the Workers Registration Scheme (WRS) if they intend to work for more than one month.
Once a person has been working under the WRS for 12 months without a break they have full rights and no longer need to register.
The self-employed need not register but must contact HM Revenue and Customs for tax purposes
There are quotas for low-skilled workers, who need an Accession Worker Card under two schemes for agricultural and food processing workers
Everyone needs a NI number in order to work. This is obtained by applying to the Department of Works and Pensions.
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3. The EU, Immigration and Asylum Seekers
Summary: The EU is an area where the freedom of movement must be assured but devising a Common Asylum Policy that fits with this is not easy.
The major gateways into the EU are Italy, Malta, Spain and Greece but for many, particularly those who enter illegally, the UK is their favoured destination.
Most have settled in Spain, UK, France, Italy and Greece.
Definitions:
Refugees become asylum seekers, applying for asylum as soon as they arrive in an EU member state.
Economic migrants want to work, as do asylum seekers.
Illegal immigrants have entered a country without going through customs and immigration, or by failing to leave when refused the right to remain.
The Hague Programme (2004) set the objectives for strengthening freedom, security and justice in the EU 2005–2010.
A variety of policies and agencies are in place:
- To determine which member state has responsibility for examining an asylum application
- To prevent fraudulent applicants from shopping around
- To set common standards and procedures for returning illegal immigrants
- To co-operate over and integrate border security.
In the pipeline:
- European Asylum Support Office – a new independent EU agency to facilitate co-operation and ensure asylum seekers receive fairer, more consistent and transparent treatment in the EU – possibly in place 2010.
- Blue Card – a fast-track procedure for issuing special residence and work permits to highly qualified third country workers – directive yet to be adopted.
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4. Controls on Immigration
Summary: The EU has a variety of policies and actions in place designed to improve economic conditions in some of those countries whose citizens are desperate to reach a safe haven and a job in Europe. They have also strengthened border controls in third party countries where migrants seek to cross undetected.
The UK is introducing a new Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill with a new system of “earned citizenship” and access to benefits reserved for citizens and permanent residents.
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