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    Home Office faces council rebellion over deportation of homeless non-British nationals 📂 Archived Message

    Posted by sashimi on December 8, 2020, 11:44 pm

    8 December 2020

    (quote)
    The government is facing a council revolt over its "morally wrong" new
    policy of deporting non-British nationals for being homeless.

    The new policy, which came into force on December 1, makes rough
    sleeping grounds for refusal or cancellation of someone's permission
    to stay in the country.

    Rights groups have widely criticised the new rule as "effectively
    criminalising migrant destitution."

    Now the government is also facing a growing rebellion from local
    authorities over the policy.

    This week three London councils - Southwark, Haringey and Islington -
    announced that they will not collaborate with the new rule changes.

    Islington council, in north London, said the policy was "unfair,"
    "discriminatory" and "likely to play into the hands of exploitative
    landlords and employers.

    "The success of our work depends on our ability to gain, nurture and
    maintain the trust of the rough sleepers we work with who are often
    very vulnerable, hesitant to seek help, and traumatised," a
    spokesperson said.

    "Trust is vital so people can tell us about issues like exploitation,
    modern slavery, abuse and other vulnerable people at risk.

    "We will not compromise this by co-operating with discriminatory rules
    that make life harder for some of our very most vulnerable people."

    Haringey Cllr Emine Ibrahim said: "Now more than ever it is vital that
    as leaders, and as communities, we do all we can in our power to
    protect the most vulnerable. Many people sleeping rough have been
    exploited and faced unbelievable personal challenges.

    "As a council we work tirelessly to help those sleeping rough get off
    the streets and to find safety and stability. We will not be
    collaborating with the Home Office on this rule."

    Campaigners have blamed the government's "no recourse to public funds"
    rule for forcing migrants onto the streets as it prevents them from
    accessing benefits and council housing. A recent rough sleeper count
    by Southwark Council found that half have no recourse to public funds,
    according to Cllr Helen Dennis.

    She said: "It is inhumane and morally wrong to deport someone, simply
    for falling on hard times and losing their home. Most foreign
    nationals are here to work, quite legally, and we should be
    encouraging them to seek help and support, rather than pushing them
    away."

    Local councils have not yet been informed of their duties under the
    new policy, and are waiting further details.
    (/quote)
    -- https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/home-office-faces-council-rebellion-over-deportation-homeless-non-british-nationals

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