Immigration Solicitors

The start of Refugee Week today (16/06/14) has been marked by a new YouGov poll, which shows that eight out of 10 first-time voters eligible to take part in the May 2015 General Election are proud of the UK’s history of tolerance and acceptance towards refugees and migrants – and want the UK to continue this tradition.

The YouGov poll looked at the views of 3.3 million new voters who will be casting their vote for the first time next May.

Researchers found that 1.35m first-time voters say they are definitely going to vote – and three-quarters of young voters questioned want the British government to continue its support of refugees by welcoming them to the UK.

Many first-time voters were keen that child migrants and refugees be welcomed to the UK, which has a strong tradition for offering sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution. A total of 82% of potential first-time voters polled said they wanted the UK to continue accepting child refugees.

The UK Border Agency this year introduced anti-trafficking units at major UK entry ports such as Heathrow and Gatwick, to detect children trafficked into the UK before they disappear into the sex trade or illegal employment, such as slave labour.

Vulnerable children or youngsters are often trafficked by relatives desperate to get them to the safety of another country – but are unaware that people trafficking gangs then place them in illegal employment or force them into the sex trade in Britain.

YouGov researchers also questioned voters over the age of 21 and found that seven out of 10 said the UK should be “proud” of its tradition of tolerance towards refugees.

Responding to the findings of the YouGov poll, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, Maurice Wren, said:

“Over the last decade, some feared that Britain's commitment to protecting and supporting refugees – children and adults – might be weakening. This new poll finds that it's actually getting stronger.

“Protecting and helping vulnerable people is an intrinsic part of being British.

“Our heritage of offering safety to those in need is just as vital today as it was in the past, with the Syrian conflict fuelling the greatest refugee crisis of our time.”

Over the weekend, the Italian Coastguard released footage of a rescue operation off the coast of Italy, involving Syrian refugees trying to reach Europe’s shores from Libya.

The coastguard in Italy rescued 281 Syrian refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean in a 20-metre wooden fishing boat.

However, in Calais on Sunday (15/06/14), a gunman was arrested after firing on refugees massed at the port waiting to cross to the UK in lorries crossing to Dover.

The results of the recent European Parliament elections showed a worrying swing to the Far Right in several European member states, including France.

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of immigration solicitors and can advise refugees on illegal entry to the UK, detention pending deportation from the UK – and asylum and asylum appeals.

Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors can also advise on right to work in the UK, marriage in the UK, British citizenship and student visas.

For expert legal help with all UK immigration matters and asylum in the UK, contact Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors on 020 7923 4020.