Worried lawyers warn that Afghan refugees living in the UK will be subject to the Home Office’s hostile environment regime within days of delays in issuing new visas.
Despite ministers promising to act weeks earlier, the alarm has been raised by the failure to grant indefinite Leave to Remain before their Immigration papers expire.
More than 15,000 refugees fled Kabul under Taliban control. They were given temporary six-month visas that will expire in days or weeks.
The Law Society fears that they will be homeless and destitution if they can’t prove their right to be here.
I. Stephanie Boyce is the president of the organisation.
The Home Office promised that it would work with Afghan evacuees to secure their long-term UK immigration status within six month. However, many still don’t have the papers they need.
Ms Boyce called the situation extremely distressing and said: Solicitors tell me they have been trying to get clarity from the Home Office for months. They are concerned that if their clients become overstayers, they could face homelessness or destitution.
The Home Office deemed the warning unnecessary scaremongering and said it was wrong to claim rights were at risk.
The most serious concern is about the plight and exploitation of approximately 4,000 refugees who have been relocated from temporary accommodation rooms to their homes. They are most at-risk from losing their right to rent or work.
The IndependentThe Refugees Welcome campaign calls for the government’s unconditional support and to provide refuge to as many Afghans possible.
When MPs alerted Home Office to the problem last month, it stated it aimed at concluding the process before individuals leave the country to remain.
The Law Society stated that official advice has not been updated in the years since September 2021 when most refugees arrived under Operation Pitting.
It has been notified to one individual whose Visa expires next Thursday. They have not received any response to their case in the past weeks.
Ms Booth stated that some people living in Home Office accommodation were contacted. However, she added: All those who have not been contacted are becoming increasingly anxious.
A spokesperson for the Home Office said that Afghan nationals have the right to work, can access education, and can apply for public funding.
We are currently granting all indefinite leave of absence. However, all employees have valid leave during this process. To suggest that they are at risk of losing these rights is completely false.
Kevin Foster, a Home Office minister, could not answer parliamentary questions in January. He was unable to tell how many refugees still awaiting indefinite leave.
He stated: Communications have been sent out informing individuals of the next steps to obtain permanent residence in Britain.
However, the Law Society reported that solicitors were reporting that clients who live outside of the Home Office have not been provided with any information.
