Refugees reveal what it is like to be separated from their family and speak out against Labour’s move to suspend the reunion scheme
Refugees hoping to bring their family to the UK have said they are in a state of “shock and horror” about the Government’s decision to suspend the reunion scheme.
A man from Afghanistan who is separated from his wife and son told The i Paper that the move had created “fear and uncertainty” among those desperate to see their loved ones again.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said that all new family reunion applications will be suspended in a bid to gain more control over the asylum system.
New FeatureIn ShortQuick Stories. Same trusted journalism.
Cooper raised the prospect of a two-year wait before applications can be made under new, stricter rules to be introduced by the spring.
The Labour cabinet minister pointed to countries such as Denmark and Switzerland which have blocked refugees from making an application to bring in family members for at least two years.
The i Paper understands family reunion applications can still be submitted until the suspension is formally laid in Parliament – a move expected to happen within days.
Immigration lawyers are currently working with refugees to lodge a flurry of applications with the Home Office before the suspension is enforced.
However, migrant charities are worried that many of them will not be able to gather the supporting documents they need in time to make an application this week.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announces the suspension of family reunion (Photo: House of Commons/AFP)Separation from family is ‘painful and traumatic’
Ahmad*, a 35-year-old from Afghanistan, was granted refugee status in June. He submitted an initial application to bring his wife to the UK under the family reunion scheme in July.
But the Home Office asked him to supply more information shortly before Cooper’s announcement this week.
Ahmad, who did not want to share his real name, said he was “shocked” by her statement, which had left him feeling uncertain about his application and his hopes of reuniting with his wife.
“I found it difficult to accept. My wife and I have not seen each other for a long time. It’s traumatic for us. It is painful,” he said.
“I understand the Government is under pressure, is looking for solutions, but the Government doesn’t seem to know what to do. It feels unfair. They are scapegoating people in this situation.”
‘Fear and uncertainty’ over family reunion cases
Aalem*, a 29-year-old from Afghanistan who was granted refugee status by the Home Office in July, is also worried.
His wife and young son are still in Afghanistan. He submitted a family reunion application for his wife on 29 August and for his son on 1 September – the same day that Cooper announced the changes.
Aalem said the suspension of the family reunion scheme had “left [him] deeply shocked and devastated”.
Charities fear the suspension of family reunion scheme will see even more crossings (Photo: Carl Court/Getty)
He hopes his application will be allowed to continue, but remains worried by the possibility of a two-year wait if there is any snag in his claim and he has to re-apply.
“This sudden change has created a lot of fear and uncertainty, because my only hope was to reunite with my family as soon as possible. My family in Afghanistan under Taliban rule are living in very dangerous and unbearable conditions.”
Aalem said being away from his wife and child “breaks my heart every day”, adding: “A two-year wait would be extremely painful for me.
“How can I integrate into British society, work, or build a future when I am constantly worried about the safety and future of my wife and son in Afghanistan?”
Steve Smith, chief executive of the Care4Calais charity, said refugees were in “a state of shock and horror” over the new Government policy.
“We certainly hope – fingers crossed – that current applications are assessed under the existing system. But it’s hard to have certainty because the detail is not clear. Policies are being made on the hoof.”
Smith said some asylum seekers in the UK who have recently been granted refugee status may not be able to get the documents they need to make a family reunion application before the suspension is in force. “It’s cruel and discriminatory to keep families apart,” he added.
Zoe Bantleman, the legal director at the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA), said they were “deeply concerned” that “vulnerable people fleeing persecution – particularly women and children – will be forced to remain separated from their loved ones for longer periods”.
The Home Office is expected to introduce far tighter rules for family reunions, including new financial requirements as well as a longer waiting period.
Cooper said the changes would ease pressure on local authorities, telling MPs that a quarter of family homelessness cases are linked to the refugee family reunion system.
The Home Secretary said the suspension will also help address the problem of criminal gangs using family reunion as a “pull factor” to make English Channel crossings in small boats.
However, the Refugee Council has warned that it could encourage more people to make small boat crossings.
“These changes will only push more desperate people into the arms of smugglers in an effort to reunite with loved ones,” said chief executive Enver Solomon.
The Home Office declined to make any further comment.
*The Afghan refugees asked to remain anonymous and spoke under pseudonyms