Days after a tragic incident where a child and two women lost their lives attempting to seek refuge, Keir Starmer has announced the termination of what he calls refugees’ “golden ticket.” This move entails eliminating the opportunity for displaced individuals to rebuild stable lives with their families. The current refugee protection systems are already failing, leaving people stranded in perilous situations like cold waters and busy shipping routes.

The proposed changes will extinguish the small glimmer of hope at the end of the dark tunnel that refugees navigate. Ending family reunification could lead to more fatalities among children attempting Channel crossings. Statistics show that a significant percentage (56%) of those reuniting with refugee families are children, with 37% being women. The potential consequences of cutting off this safe passage are alarming.

Furthermore, abolishing settlement options may result in individuals being stuck in limbo, uncertain about their future until they meet certain criteria. These are the “genuine refugees” that the Government aims to safeguard – individuals who have fled war or persecution and have undergone the arduous process of attaining refugee status.

Having worked within the asylum system for nearly two decades, I have observed that most individuals aspire to two fundamental things: the ability to work and to be reunited with their families. This aspiration sustains them through years of waiting, often without the opportunity to work and support themselves.

Upon receiving refugee status, these individuals are now required to wait ten years, instead of the previous five, before they can secure permanent residency. Moreover, many refugees may face a permanent ban on acquiring citizenship.

These policy changes will erect additional barriers to integration within our communities. Refugees bring valuable contributions and resilience to our society. The essence of offering sanctuary should not be based on what people can offer us in return. The act of welcoming Ukrainian refugees was driven by compassion and the moral obligation to assist those in need.

While many of us take pride in our history of providing refuge to those in peril, the current government appears determined to deviate from this ethos. By doing so, they not only harm the lives of refugees but also erode the core values that define our nation.