Scottish Catholic Observer

Refugees in Glasgow are celebrating the news that Immigration Minister Damien Green has cancelled a letter forcing asylum seekers out of their home with three days notice.

Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow led opposition to the planned evictions and supported protestors (above), as reported in this week’s Scottish Catholic Observer.

Glasgow City Council has suggested that the United Kingdom Border Authority now recognises that timetable was unworkable.

Negotiations between UKBA, the council, and the housing providers Glasgow Housing Authority and Y people are to continue.

Robina Qureshi, the director of the charity Positive Action in Housing, said she welcomed the news but called on the public to continuing pressuring the elected representatives.

“We welcome the fact that the Immigration Minister has cancelled the UK Borders Agency’s potential eviction letter to 600 Glasgow refugee families which threatened to put them out of their homes inside three days,” she said.

“The February 2011 deadline is effectively dead. We now hope that he will also consider whether it is right and proper to put families into accommodation provided by private landlords when there are growing concerns about these agencies’ ability to provide accommodation and support similar to the Council.

“We remain committed that if any families are moved against their will or even one child is forced to move school then we, alongside our extensive networks of supporters, will publicly support and advocate for each and every family, and have the resources ready to do so. The UK Borders Agency has underestimated the strength of feeling about the agency’s actions on Scottish soil. From the hundreds of emails and letters we are getting from the public, people are disgusted. Members within the Jewish community have also raised comparisons with what happened to Jews in Poland and Nazi Germany.”

Ms Qureshi said it was vital that politician’s understood the strength of feeling on this issue.

“We urge everyone who supports this campaign to please keep up the pressure and keep sending in your messages of support to [email protected],” she said. “We will pass them on.”

Pic: Ian Dunn