Most of us want to share our lives with our loved ones, be good friends and neighbours and part of welcoming communities. But our politicians have designed immigration rules which put this simple dream out of reach for many.
Adam, 38, has worked here as a carer for nearly 12 years but has been documented for less than five. After saving to pay skyrocketing Home Office fees, Adam’s application to renew his visa was rejected on a technicality. He couldn’t afford to apply again or to pay a lawyer to challenge the decision. With no family left in his country of birth, and a baby on the way here in the UK, he became an overstayer.
There are estimated to be between 400,000 and a million people living in the UK who do not have the right paperwork. And the majority of those without the right papers, like Adam, probably had them at some point, but fell out of status over time.
It takes hard work to build a home, learn the language and make friends in a new country. But instead…