Immigration Solicitors

A think tank supported by Labour Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls is calling for illegal immigrants to be awarded full citizenship.

Think tank The Center for American Progress has published a new report ‘The Economic Case for a Clear, Quick Pathway to Citizenship’, which says allowing illegal migrants full citizenship would enable them to contribute to the economy. Although the findings of the report relate mainly to the US economy, the authors suggest EU countries should also adopt the same policy regarding illegal immigrants.

The Center for American Progress flies Mr Ball to Washington four times a year to chair its meetings, the Daily Express reports.

Immigration is becoming a central issue for the three main political parties as the general election approaches in May 2015. In May this year, the European elections take place and UKIP predicted at its conference last week that it could make significant gains in both elections.

David Cameron has already introduced measures to prevent new migrants to the UK claiming welfare benefits as soon as they arrive – but immigration figures released last week show that net immigration has risen by 37% in the last year, with more migrants coming to Britain to work than people leaving to work elsewhere in the EU.

Earlier this year, Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said that without migrant workers coming to Britain, the City and the NHS would “fall over”.

The new report says that “opening a door to undocumented migrants to earn legal status and, ultimately, citizenship” could bring significant economic benefits.

Many illegal migrants in the UK work in low-paid jobs such as catering or packing – and live in some of the poorest housing.

Although employers and landlords are obliged to check on the immigration status of employees and tenants or face thousands of pounds in fines, people trafficked into the UK often end up working in the sex trade or in casual jobs such as construction or agricultural work.

The Border Agency is deploying units at Heathrow and other airports across the UK to target people who may have been trafficked.

However, it is thought there may be nearly one million illegal immigrants in the UK who may have overstayed their visa, stayed on after their student visa expired – or who were trafficked and are working in the black economy. A report from the EU Commission into illegal immigrants across the European Union put the number of illegal immigrants in the UK at 836,000 in 2008 – suggesting the UK was home to one-quarter of illegal immigrants across all EU member states at that time.

However, allowing citizenship to illegal immigrants and allowing them to contribute to the economy in taxes and National Insurance could be beneficial, The Center for American Progress argues.

Responding to the report, Conservative MP Priti Patel told the Daily Express that the policy of allowing an amnesty for illegal immigrants in the UK would “put more pressure on public services from people who haven’t contributed with their hard work and taxes”.

In 2010, the Daily Telegraph revealed that thousands of illegal immigrants had been awarded the right to stay in the UK after proving that they had been living here for more than 14 years.

In 2003, Labour introduced a rule allowing illegal immigrants the right to apply to the Home Office for leave to remain in the UK after they had lived here illegally for 14 years.

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is one of the UK’s leading immigration solicitors and can advise illegal immigrants on immigration issues, including:

• Asylum
• Asylum appeals
• Citizenship
• Illegal entry to the UK
• Detention
• Right to work in the UK
• Housing benefit
• Marriage in the UK
• Student visas
• Visa fraud.

Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors are also a leading provider of Legal Aid services in the UK.

For expert help with immigration and legal advice on illegal entry to the UK, contact Duncan Lewis solicitors on 020 7923 4020.