Grenfell: 12-month immigration amnesty for survivors announced | UK news
The Home Office has announced a temporary 12-month immigration “amnesty†for survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire.
The immigration minister, Brandon Lewis, told MPs the move was in recognition of the fact that some foreign nationals directly affected by the fire did not wish to engage with the authorities because of their concerns about their unresolved immigration status or because their permission to stay in Britain was about to expire.
The announcement means the Home Office will not conduct checks on residents of Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk or those coming forward to provide information to help the authorities in their inquiries.
The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, welcomed the announcement but said the 12-month amnesty did not go far enough.
“I’m pleased to see the government has met the request I raised in the Commons on Monday for an immigration amnesty for Grenfell survivors. Without an immigration amnesty there may well be people we never know about, and too many people who need help who will not receive it,†she said.
“But this does not go far enough to ensure the confidence of those affected. Why would they volunteer their details knowing that in just 12 months they could face deportation? The amnesty must be indefinite to be truly effective.â€
Survivors who contact the Home Office will be given up to a year’s temporary leave to remain in Britain outside the immigration rules and with full access to relevant support and assistance. The usual requirement that they demonstrate that they can live without claiming social security benefits or having recourse to other public funds will also be waived. No fees will be charged either.
It is understood that the Home Office has offered the temporary leave to remain status in good faith and does not intend to use it to take subsequent enforcement action when it expires and may actually offer those involved the opportunity to regularise their status in Britain.
The policy will be kept under review and remain in place at least until 31 August.
The immigration minister said: “This period of leave to remain for those directly affected by the fire will provide survivors with the time to deal with the extremely difficult circumstances in which they find themselves and start to rebuild their lives while considering their future options, as well as to assist the police and other authorities with their inquiries about the fire.â€
Abbott pressed the case for an immigration amnesty for Grenfell survivors in the Commons on Monday. She said concern about their immigration status was one of the factors preventing people from coming forward, either to obtain the help they need or to provide the information the authorities need.
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