Earlier this week, on the 18th July the Illegal Migration Bill was passed. Despite opposition - from MPs, peers, charities and faith leaders - the Illegal Migration Bill became the Illegal Migration Act as it received royal assent on Thursday.
After the ‘ping pong’ between the House of Lords and the House of Commons, it was crushing to see the Commons vote to reverse detention limits for children suggested by peers, as well as protections for potential modern slavery victims.
Among the MPs who stood against the bill was Tim Farron, who described it as “the worst piece of legislation I’ve seen in 18 years.”
This is a sad and dark moment for us at Boaz, and for the UK as a whole. We know that the impact of this piece of legislation will be devastating, as we have written about previously.
Refugee Council have said, "Our assessment, based on Home Office data, is that it will lead to almost 200,000 men, women and children locked up or destitute on our streets."
As an organisation that longs to see an end to destitution, this fills us with anger. But also with a new resolve to resist this legislation and show compassion to the people who will suffer because of it.
While the government chooses detention and floating prisons, we will continue to provide safe accommodation. As Robert Jenrick orders the removal of cartoons at a centre for lone children arriving in the UK, we will continue to prioritise holistic support and wellbeing. And as the government shirks its international duty to refugee protection, effectively removing the right to claim asylum, we will raise our voices to fight this legislation all the way.
Now is the time to persevere. Now is the time to do the work. Sign the petitions. Donate the funds. Give the time. Make our hospitality speak louder than our government’s hostility.
People power can change things. We’ve seen this on the Wirral, in Teeside and most recently in Tyneside as plans to accommodate people seeking asylum on barges have seen setbacks after communities have spoken out against them.
How might you put your compassion into action? Find three simple ways to start below.
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Read five ways to speak truth to power