Scottish Catholic Observer

Bishop John Keenan of Paisley Diocese said the UK’s immigration policy made him ‘embarrassed to be British’ as he told of the personal reasons why he signed a letter last week calling on the government to end ‘inhumane’ immigration policies.

The Bishop was one of a number of Christian church leaders who signed the open letter to home secretary Sajid Javid saying immigration policy ‘deliberately prevents people who cannot provide the right documentation—for whatever reason—from getting work, renting a home or accessing the kinds of services we all need to live.’

The letter also stated that current policy furthers racial discrimination, as well as poverty, homelessness and ‘avoidable suffering.’

“We believe it is inhumane to use destitution, or the threat of destitution, as a policy tool to encourage people to leave the country,” it read, adding that ‘people who do not look or sound ‘British’ are now facing increased difficulty in finding homes and employment, because landlords and employers are being asked to play the role of border guards.’

Following the publication of the letter, Bishop Keenan, who was formerly chaplain to Glasgow University, told the SCO of a former student, living in Africa, who scrapped a planned visit to the UK due to having to apply for an expensive Visa—in addition to a separate visa for visiting other European countries—that would take six weeks to be processed, and may not even have been accepted at all.

“He said the EU Visa is less than $70 for three months, and would take two weeks to be processed, but the UK one would be nearly $800, would take six weeks and wouldn’t even be guaranteed,” Bishop Keenan said.

Bishop Keenan added that he feels the administration side to attaining a Visa in the UK is inefficient, and that it largely benefits the Border Agency. He continued: “When I wrote back to him I was embarrassed to be British, as they’re ultimately saying ‘you can’t come here because you’re from Africa.’

“He was a very bright student of mine with the Legion of Mary; he was there for six years, and he’s now working with a big finance company in Lagos.

“So when I looked at the letter I thought not really so much about politics or numbers of immigrants, more just that when anyone applies for a Visa they experience a hostile environment, and I tend to agree with that.”

Responding to the letter, the Home Office said: “The public expects us to have checks in place to prevent illegal immigration and tackle those who seek profit from it. However we recognise the experiences faced by some members of the Windrush generation are inexcusable.

“The Home Secretary and Immigration Minister have said it is a priority to right the wrongs that have occurred, prevent such cases from ever happening again and ensure a fair an humane immigration system.”