A fair asylum system cannot be built on instability or performative toughness
This policy will not deter people from fleeing conflict and persecution. But it will make life harder for those the UK has already recognised as needing safety
Read here: scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/refugee-asyl...
We know that when people seeking safety are treated with humanity, whole communities thrive.
It is these shared values of community and compassion - not fear or division - that must guide the path forward.
There IS another way. We know this, and we know you do too.
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But we know that a different vision is possible - an asylum system rooted in compassion and dignity.
One where every person seeking safety in the UK is given a fair hearing and a chance to rebuild their lives.
We will continue to channel our anger into action and change! ✊
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Today, we are angry.
We are disappointed.
We are ashamed.
But we are unsurprised.
This hostility has been sowed for years, and the current Government continues to let it bloom.
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All this comes while refugee family reunion remains suspended, forcibly keeping families apart.
There are NO safe or accessible routes for people to reach the UK to seek safety.
Until the Government opens meaningful and accessible safe routes, people's lives will continue to be put at risk.
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With little detail or clear timeline, it is also unlikely that people would arrive under these new routes for almost two years.
When your life is in danger, you cannot wait two years.
This announcement is little more than an empty gesture to soften the blow of the other hostile policies.
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Meanwhile, the Government offers a token gesture: capped legal routes for student or workers seeking safety.
This came just a day after announcing the suspension of student visas for people from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan.
This is nonsensical.
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The fact that we're now debating what level of force is acceptable to remove children from the UK shows the extent to which compassion and humanity are completely missing from the Government's plans.
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The Government knows the harm these policies will cause.
Yet it is wilfully ignoring this fact.
Instead, it continues to sow division, scapegoat refugees, and normalise language that demonises people seeking safety.
These policies are outright dangerous.
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And for women, this harm will be disproportionate and profound.
Evidence from Denmark - on which these policies are modelled - is clear: women and children are trapped in insecurity, poverty, and fear.
Since similar reforms took hold, grants of settled status to women have nearly halved .
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We've heard plans to:
❌ Make refugee status temporary to 30 months
❌ Remove financial & housing support from individuals
❌ Pay families up to £40k to leave the UK
❌ Link permanent settlement to economic contribution.
❌ Reform appeals to increase deportation, including families with children
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‼️ Today's speech by the Home Secretary marks the end of a week in which we've been drip-fed a series of hostile and cruel asylum policies.
Each one points in the same direction: further penalising and harming people who are simply seeking safety here.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... 1/🧵
This comes after a series of Government announcements in recent months that signal an alarming disregard for refugee protection and a worrying move towards more hostility and cruelty.
This is not who we are.
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For many, changes in their home country that happened while they were studying or working in the UK, mean it is no longer safe to return home.
For others, such as women and LGBTQ+ people, leaving their country on a visa is often the safest way to leave situations of violence and danger.
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2️⃣ It disregards the myriad of legitimate reasons people may enter the UK on a study or skilled worker visa, and later claim asylum.
This should not invalidate someone's need for refugee protection, and it is extremely dangerous to suggest so.
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This move is nonsensical for many reasons, including:
1️⃣ Stopping study visas (and skilled worker visas for Afghans) punishes people seeking education and skilled workers who make huge contributions to the UK.
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In 2021, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Sudan experienced violent regime changes which has resulted in years of violence, displaced millions, and caused widespread poverty and starvation.
The UN has said that 12 million women and children are at risk of sexual and gender-based violence in Sudan.
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The Government state that this move is to 'clamp down on visa abuse' as people from these four countries are the most likely to make an asylum claim after originally coming to the UK to study.
But this doesn't tell the whole story.
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🚨We are deeply concerned by the Government's announcement to stop issuing student visas to people from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan.
This is a draconian and discriminatory measure that acts as widespread punishment for citizens of those countries.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 1/🧵
Congratulations!! Love the new name and logo!
04.03.2026 13:57 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
This is a vanity move by the Government to appear tough on immigration and is straight out of the Reform playbook.
This will undoubtedly cause huge harm to people who have sought safety in the UK from war, persecution and violence.
This is not who we are.
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🚨 From today, every person granted refugee status in the UK will be given temporary status of just 30 months.
Short-term leave traps people in cycles of uncertainty, making it much more difficult for them to rebuild their lives in our communities.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... 1/2
We know that legal challenges are a lot of work!
If you'd like to support @safepassageintl.bsky.social Crowdfunder to help them challenge this cruel suspension, you can do so here: www.crowdjustice.com/case/stop-su...
We'll be following closely!
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The suspension of family reunion has a disproportionate impact on women, children, and those with disabilities.
As Blessing shared, "The delays crushed me. You can’t move on, you can’t integrate, you can’t do anything. I fell into depression… I am still on medication now.”
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The suspension of family reunion has caused huge amounts of distress and worry for the women we support.
Forcibly keeping families apart is cruel.
We're pleased to hear that @safepassageintl.bsky.social's challenge will be heard in the high court.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... 1/3
Plans for ICE-style deportations on our streets are cruel beyond belief.
The proposals put forward by Reform will terrorise our communities, cause widespread fear, and divide families.
We will always stand up against this hostility and cruelty.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If this sounds like something you’d love to be part of, click the link below to learn more about the role and how to apply: www.refugeewomen.co.uk/volunteering/
Deadline 12th March, at 8 pm
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🌟 Join WRW for an exciting volunteering opportunity! 🌟
WRW is looking for a dance and movement facilitator to bring joy, confidence, and connection to refugee women through fun, uplifting sessions. 💜
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Love dancing? Want to share your moves with other women? Have a few hours to spare volunteering each week?
This one’s for you! 💃
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The class is designed to be a relaxed space for women to move their bodies, appreciate different cultures through dance, and to have fun with their friends.
🗓️ Tuesdays, 3-4pm
📍 In-person, Old Street, London
Please apply by 8pm today.
refugeewomen.co.uk/volunteering 2/2
