The SNP’s Westminster Immigration spokesperson, , has written to the
Home Secretary urging him to act to protect tens of thousands of
undocumented children in the UK who are at risk of facing the
same injustices as the Windrush generation.
There are an estimated 120,000 undocumented children who are
entitled by law to UK citizenship - but they can only register if
they fork out over a thousand pounds in fees to the Home Office.
warned that those who
are unable to pay the “eye-watering” amount face the risk of
being unable to secure employment, rent properties or use crucial
public services.
At PMQs yesterday, the SNP’s Westminster leader pressed the Prime
Minister over how she can justify charging undocumented and
vulnerable children a thousand pounds to receive UK citizenship.
The Project for the Registration of Children as British Citizens
(PRCBC) and Amnesty International have also raised concerns over
the obstacles facing children who are looking to secure
citizenship, and have called on the UK government to adopt
measures to resolve the issue.
From 6 April 2018, the registration fee for children was set to
£1,012, of which £372 is towards administrations costs and £640
is profit to the Home Office.
Commenting, said:
“’s rejection of the ‘hostile
environment’ ideology is welcome, but only if it goes beyond mere
rhetoric.
“Currently, there are tens of thousands of children – who are
entitled by law to UK citizenship – yet find themselves
undocumented and at risk of being unable to secure employment or
use vital public services.
“The cost of registration for citizenship is over £1,000 per
child – most of which is pure profit for the Home Office. It is
utterly shameful that the Home Office is pursuing a policy that
puts profits before people.
“Unless the Home Secretary acts, then those who cannot afford
this eye-watering fee will face the same injustices as the
Windrush generation.
“In addition to much needed UK-wide reforms, it's clear that the
Tory government’s immigration system is failing Scotland, and the
events of the past few weeks have only strengthened the case for
the full devolution of immigration powers to the Scottish
Parliament, so that we can create a fair system that works for
Scotland and the specific needs of our economy.”
Solange Valdez-Symonds, Solicitor and director of the Project for
the Registration of Children as British Citizens (PRCBC), added:
“The scandalously high fees prevent many children from attaining
the British citizenship to which they are entitled. Many of these
children were born in the UK, yet they all face precisely the
same injustices as the Windrush generation has experienced in
being denied their rights in the country and even facing removal
from it."
ENDS
Notes for editors:
Fees for the Registration of Children as British Citizens:
https://prcbc.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/fees_briefing_revised_march_2018-final.pdf
Letter from to the Home
Secretary:
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4fae14f57a18ee08253ffc251/files/6d36ee1b-4a3d-4802-bacf-225c6222bbfe/Letter_to_Home_Secretary.pdf
