Asylum seekers could face years behind bars
As someone who seems to view herself as the champion of immigration, Priti Patel has repeatedly made morally dubious decisions.
Her obsession with the English channel has resulted in new proposed legislation that will punish undocumented immigrants with up to four years in jail. This is a dramatic increase from the previous sentence of six months.
The people-smugglers don't care about the lives they endanger.
They're just lining their pockets.
The Nationality & Borders Bill entering Parliament next week will increase the maximum sentence to prevent illegal entry to the UK and stop the deaths.#NewPlanForImmigration🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/ma8XQJyqpg
— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) June 30, 2021
Ms Patel said the following:
“The Nationality and Borders Bill contains vital measures to fix the UK’s broken asylum system.
“Our new plan for immigration is fair but firm.
“We will welcome people through safe and legal routes whilst preventing abuse of the system, cracking down on illegal entry and the criminality associated with it.”
Enough is enough.
Next week we’ll introduce the Borders Bill to go after these gangs exploiting people & deter illegal entry with tougher criminal offences for those attempting to enter the UK illegally.
Part of our firm but fair #NewPlanForImmigration🇬🇧 https://t.co/dXmxFvAfca
— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) July 4, 2021
Patel has often faced criticism for her treatment of and apparent hostility to asylum seekers.
The majority of these people escape war-torn areas, horrendous living conditions, rape, torture, and gang violence. For many, moving to the UK is the last resort and one they will now be thrown in prison for.
But for all the people Patel locks behind bars, it creates a financial drain on the state’s funds and increases an already swelling prison population.
Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights director, Steve Valdez-Symonds, said:
“While the Home Office continues to make no safe and legal routes to the UK available for those claiming asylum, some people will continue to be forced to risk their lives to do so – including in small boats across the Channel.
Take action!
We need MPs to take a stand against the harmful #NewPlanforImmigration.
Invite your MP to attend our briefing on 5 July to hear directly from women seeking safety: https://t.co/B8U4LwyNKO
Together we can create a kinder, more welcoming approach.
— Women for Refugee Women 🧡 (@4refugeewomen) June 26, 2021
“Instead of peddling deliberately misleading myths and untruths about asylum and migration, the Home Office should be establishing safe routes for those few people escaping persecution who wish to seek asylum here.”
The immigration legislation, especially for asylum seekers, needs reworking for sure. But many believe the answer is not prison. Calls for an end to “unviable” migration routes need to be heard.
Priti Patel has also been reminded that the England team she congratulated on making it to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 are predominantly made up of immigrants.
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