Syrian refugee in Birmingham faces living in 'limbo' as Government proposes migration changes

A Syrian refugee living in Birmingham has said he faces living in “limbo” for several years as the Government proposes huge migration changes.

Ahmed voiced his fears from the public gallery at a meeting in Birmingham Council House last week and asked the Labour-run authority how it plans to support refugees like himself.

It follows Home Secretary and Birmingham MP Shabana Mahmood announcing the “biggest shake-up” of the legal migration system in nearly half a century last November.

The proposed changes mean the Government would double the permanent settlement qualifying period for migrants to 10 years, with reductions for those making a strong contribution to British life.

Low-paid workers would be subject to a 15-year baseline while migrants reliant on benefits face a 20-year wait for settlement – quadruple the current period and the longest in Europe.

These plans by the Labour Government were a cause for concern among many refugees, asylum seekers and their allies in Birmingham and elsewhere in the country.

An online petition urging the Government not to “delay lives and dreams”, has been signed more than 15,000 times as of late March.

Such concerns were echoed by Ahmed at the council meeting in Birmingham, where he said: “The new proposed government policies on settlement and asylum will leave me in limbo for many years, unable to settle and not knowing if I’ll be returned to my country.

“They will also stop my fellow refugees from being reunited with their children and families.

“As Birmingham recently celebrated 10 years as City of Sanctuary, what is the city council doing to counter and mitigate these measures?”

Councillor Jamie Scott, the relevant Labour cabinet member at the council, pointed to the council agreeing its new City of Sanctuary Strategy for the next five years.

“This strategy acknowledges and supports the foundational rights and responsibilities such as settlement and indefinite leave to remain, and the legal pathways to obtain this,” he said.

The strategy itself says the city’s legacy of “welcoming those seeking safety and opportunity” is woven into the fabric of Birmingham’s communities.

“We will lead with compassion, empower sanctuary seekers and build a city where everyone belongs,” it continues.

“Birmingham has always been a city that opens its arms. Our streets, schools, and workplaces tell the story of generations who came here seeking a better life.”

Addressing possible changes by the government, Councillor Scott said “good quality advice” and focusing on integration “holistically” would be important in the context of the contributions-based model.

He said the council therefore remained committed to continuing its sanctuary hub – subject to availability of funding.

“This is a face-to-face and phone-based advice hub for new communities in the city and it can provide holistic support where needed to sanctuary seekers in Birmingham,” he said.

“We’ve also agreed priorities and action plans relating to integration, such as employability, independence and wellbeing.

“All of these services provide key tools to support those that make Birmingham their home.”

Despite promise of support in Birmingham, the Government’s migration proposals continue to attract concern from campaigners.

Emma Birks, West Midlands campaign manager at the charity Asylum Matters, said earlier this year: “The [Government] plans put the very concept of sanctuary under threat.

“We know Birmingham wouldn’t be Birmingham without the people from all over the world who’ve made their lives here over the years.

“It’s hard to imagine what our city would look like if those people had been forced to wait 20 or even 30 years to feel safe and secure in their lives here.”

She added: “We continue to urge Birmingham Council to do whatever it can to stop our communities from being torn apart by these nightmarish plans, and remind our Home Secretary of the proud Brummie welcome that she seems to have forgotten about.”

Back in January, Liberal Democrat councillor Izzy Knowles said: “I would like to see Birmingham City Council keep to their pledges with the City of Sanctuary.

“All [the Government’s proposals are] going to do is cause more hardship for people who are trying their absolute best to add to our economy and become part of our communities.”

The Government was asked earlier this year about the concerns being raised by refugees such as Ahmed and their supporters.

“The Home Secretary has set out the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times, restoring order and control to our border,” a Home Office spokesperson said.

“At the same time, we are developing new safe and legal routes to ensure the UK continues to offer sanctuary to those genuinely fleeing war and persecution.

“We understand the devastating circumstances some families face, and other pathways remain available for individuals who may be eligible to reunite with loved ones.”

Last November, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood insisted that migration will “always be a vital part of Britain’s story”.

“But the scale of arrivals in recent years has been unprecedented,” the Birmingham Ladywood MP argued at the time.

“To settle in this country forever is not a right but a privilege – and it must be earned.”