MYTH FACT MYTH FACT MYTH FACT MYTH FACT
❌Refugees have to claim asylum in the first safe country they reach.
International law, specifically the 1951 Refugee Convention, does not require a person to claim asylum in the first safe country they reach. If all refugees applied for asylum in the first safe country they arrived in then certain countries would host a disproportionate amount of refugees.
❌Asylum seekers are illegal immigrants.
Seeking asylum is not illegal regardless of how the person arrives. Seeking asylum is a legal right under the 1951 Refugee Convention.
❌The UK is a main host nation for refugees and people seeking asylum.
The UK doesn’t even make the top 15 of host countries. In terms of statistics, 67% of refugees are hosted in neighbouring countries.
❌People seeking asylum are living in luxury hotels and are given a substantial living allowance.
The living conditions in hotels are often inadequate and were never meant to be used for long term use. They’re often overcrowded and have substandard shared bathroom facilities. People are often served poor-quality food which in many cases has caused diet-related health problems. They are provided with only £9.10 a week to cover all their expenses such as clothing, toiletries and transport.
❌Migrants are stealing our jobs.
Migrants help address labour market shortages by taking on roles that are often difficult to fill, such as positions in cleaning and social care. Notably, around 19% of NHS staff in England are non-British, highlighting the vital contribution migrants make.
❌They’re all young men.
Women and children also seek asylum. Young men often travel first because the journey is too dangerous for vulnerable family members.
❌ They get housing ahead of locals.
Asylum seekers cannot choose where they live. They are housed in temporary accommodation and do not take priority over council housing lists.
Sources: Migrant Voice Org, How Migration Really Works, Refugee Council, The Guardian
Definitions:
Refugee:
“A person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.”
In the UK, a person is granted refugee status when the Home Office decides that an individual meets this definition.
Refugee status means that:
- The person can stay in the UK for at least 5 years
- They can work, study, and access healthcare
- After 5 years, they can apply to stay permanently
Person seeking asylum
A person seeking asylum is someone who has left their country of origin and applied for asylum in another country and is waiting on a decision for their application.
Article 14 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution
People seeking asylum do not have the same rights as a refugee or a British citizen, for example they are generally not allowed to work, and they may have restrictions on the type of accommodation and financial support they receive.
Migrants
There is no universally agreed definition of migrant under international law. It tends to refer to an individual who has moved away from their usual place of residence, temporarily or permanently, and for a variety of reasons.
Challenges faced by refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK and how we support them
- Lack of legal support
The lengthy and complicated asylum process in the UK, further complicated by the asylum backlog, can leave refugees and people seeking asylum in limbo.
RSG seeks to alleviate these obstacles by offering individuals IAA-accredited legal advice and information on legal matters, welfare, and benefits.
- Integration
Due to various integration challenges, for example cultural, language and employment barriers, many refugees and people seeking asylum feel isolated. Coupled with the trauma of displacement and the uncertainty of their future, this can trigger mental health issues, accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, fear, and loneliness.
RSG assists in supporting integration by organising weekly drop-in sessions, during which individuals can meet other people, connect with various organisations and resources, and partake in social activities.
- English
Refugees and people seeking asylum face English language barriers due to a combination of factors, for example disruption to education due to displacement, limited access to resources, and a lack of tailored support. Consequently, this can impact their access to the job market, accessing healthcare, navigating daily life, and building social connections.
RSG assists in helping refugees and people seeking asylum to overcome this barrier by offering English lessons during their weekly drop ins, as well as assisting them in accessing education
