Illegal Migration Bill: Survivors’ letter to the House of Lords

On Monday 5th June 2023, our group of National Health Advisors – people with lived experience of seeking asylum in the UK volunteering at Doctors of the World – have written and sent the following letter to the members of the House of Lords, in opposition of the ‘Illegal Migration’ Bill.

To The House of Lords 
London 
SW1A 0PW 

Dear sir/madam, 

Re. the Illegal Migration Bill  

We are writing to you as a group of people with experience the UK asylum and detention system to express our deep concerns about the “Illegal” Migration Bill.  We are paediatricians, chefs, theatre students, campaigners and entrepreneurs. We are also survivors. We didn’t choose where we were born, nor did we ever wish to be forced to leave. We know best of the impact of hostile environment policies on our lives and the lives of people who face similar barriers to us. Policies and laws like the proposed ‘Illegal Migration’ Bill you are now examining. 

One of our main concerns is the Bill’s new power to detain, that will lead to a large increase in the size of the detained population in the UK. We know that forcibly locking up people in already vulnerable conditions will badly affect their health, safety and wellbeing. Some of us have been detained. Some of us have experience of living in unsanitary and overcrowded Home Office accommodation, that is so isolated we are effectively confined and without freedom. We know only too well how detention presents a huge barrier to accessing the healthcare, it is very difficult to register with a GP, make and attend appointments, and collect medications. 

In addition to poor food, discrimination, and the overall feeling of being left stranded in an unfamiliar, unfriendly place, people newly arrived in the UK have often survived unimaginable trauma – like we have – which detention can only – and has only – made worse. Some of us start shaking when detention centres are mentioned, or crying when watching the news about this Bill. Everybody has a different story. Everyone’s health matters. We need you to help us fight this Bill.  

Based on our lived experience of the asylum system, we are very concerned about the impact the Bill will have on the health and wellbeing of pregnant women and children. The distressing environment in detention centres will affect the health of pregnant women and their unborn babies. We are concerned that proper nutrition is not available in detention centres for children and pregnant women. Unaccompanied children, in particular, will be in a very vulnerable situation and at high risk of exploitation, like we have seen recently in hotels made for children, run by contractors employed by the Home Office, which failed to protect children who went missing.  

It’s unknown for how long people will be detained before being removed from the UK, but it is possible it could be for years and years. For children, growing up in detention centres will not be the good environment to develop in a healthy way. They will be socially isolated, excluded from normal schools, and at a higher risk of developing mental health issues with poor access to healthcare. Children cannot play and grow within a nurturing environment in detention. While other kids will be going to schools, this Bill is punishing children who aren’t responsible for any of this. Suella Braverman and this government are taking away children’s right to a normal, safe, and free life. 

It is clear to us that those responsible for the “Illegal” Migration Bill are trying to instil fear in people with threats of detention and removal to unknown and unsafe countries, such as Rwanda. Fear cannot stop people from moving across borders when they’re already scared of staying where they are.  

We long for and stand for freedom. We need to keep fighting. We cannot stop now. People have power. You have power to represent us too. Now, what will you choose to do with our rights, dreams, skills, lives and futures?   

In solidarity, 
National Health Advisors at DOTWUK 
 

About Doctors of the World UK’s National Health Advisors 

National Health Advisors are members of an advisory group of people with lived experience of migration, the UK asylum system, and healthcare exclusion, to ensure migrants have a greater influence over healthcare policy and practice.