Some politicians, citizens and councils are raising concerns over migrants or asylum seekers who have smuggled themselves into Dover from Calais and being driven in private taxis, to new homes up in London, allegedly at taxpayer's expense. It is believed these taxi drivers are being paid upto £150 to drive them to temporary accommodations.
While the country is geared up to demonise these poor asylum seekers seeking refuge, what we are witnessing is perhaps history repeating itself. In 1970s several East African Asians with British passports had arrived in Britain through side doors (ie shuttlecocking)- something that was met with subtle hostility, even from some political leaders.
But today many of these Asians, who left their homes and migrated to Britain under dire situations, are doyen of the business community and society, and stand as inspirations for many. If Britain had closed its doors to these immigrants 45 years back, today we would have been part of a completely different demography.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, has also echoed the same feelings. He warned the politicians not to 'corner' immigrants, after a Cabinet minister had suggested some parts of the country felt “swamped” by foreign arrivals.
At a press gallery lunch, the archbishop – who said he was not criticising any individual – appealed for moderation.
He told the journalists, “We can’t overburden communities, we have to be realistic about that. But at the heart of Christian teaching about the human being is that all human beings are of absolutely equal and infinite value and the language we use must reflect the value of the human being and not treat immigration as a deep menace that is somehow going to overwhelm a country that has coped with many waves of immigrations and has usually done so with enormous success...
“What we are seeing is an upsurge of minor racist, antisemitic, anti-Islamic, anti-foreigner xenophobia – not major things – just comments being made, things being said which are for the people who grew up in those backgrounds seriously uncomfortable, really quite frightening.”
An asylum seeker does not leave his country only to seek economic benefits abroad. They are also forced to leave their home country as they have suffered (or feared) persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, or political opinion; also because they are a member of a persecuted social category of persons, or because they are fleeing a war. They do not want to settle in a foreign country willingly, but are unfortunately left with no better choice than fleeing from their home country.
