Press Archives

16 April 2005

End "numbers game" on immigration: JCWI's plea to the political parties

JCWI is calling on the political parties to stop playing a "numbers game" on immigration and come up with policies that are bold, visionary and sustainable.

The NGO made the call as it launched its election leaflet, "Immigration is good for us" - designed to help voters who want a more informed debate to challenge the candidates.

JCWI Chief Executive Habib Rahman said:

"The political parties are focussed on a narrow numbers game - how many people the UK can keep out, how many we can detain, how many we can deport. This is an incredibly short-sighted and repressive approach. It fuels anti-migrant feeling while failing to make a vital connection between immigration and other policies.

"For example, how many people realise that without migrant workers it could be much harder to obtain NHS treatment in some regions? Or that the money migrant workers send home makes a difference to poor people in developing countries?

"In the end policies built on myths will fail the UK and migrants. We deserve a more visionary and sustainable immigration system that works for people living in the modern world with its globalised economy and continuing civil conflicts."

JCWI is calling for the immigration policy to be determined by four fundamental objectives:

• The UK's obligation to provide human rights protection
• The recognition that our economy benefits from migration
• Everyone in the UK whatever their nationality or immigration status should enjoy the protection of their human rights
• Immigration can assist global development and peace.

JCWI has produced an Election Leaflet - 10 recommendations to make immigration work in the UK (PDF 44 KB) >>

To request copies of our leaflet please email info@jcwi.org.uk