In The Press

The Guardian reveals that genuine couples are being subjected to insulting checks as part of a Home Office crackdown on sham marriages. Couples and lawyers are reporting wedding ceremonies being interrupted so that the Home Office can question people about their sex lives and dawn raids are being carried out to find out if couples were sharing a bed. The incidents are part of a government attempt to make it more difficult for migrants to wed in the UK, in order to prevent people using marriage to UK or EU citizens as a means to remain in the country. Duncan Lewis caseworker Poppy Firmin has commented on the gruelling checks; “Many people go through the asylum process unrepresented. In the meantime you can’t work, you often can’t study, and then you may or may not be permitted to marry. Or you may be detained after your marriage ceremony is gate-crashed by Home Office officials. It’s very degrading.” Read more…