There are almost 70,000 cases currently awaiting asylum appeals. Instead of wasting those people’s time, damaging their mental health, and racking up thousands in legal fees, perhaps the Home Office could commit to getting decisions right in the first place. It sounds crazy, but it just might work.

Barristers will have been instructed. Judges and hearing rooms booked. Hours upon hours of time and resources spent, all for the Home Office to withdraw in the days before the hearing. It’s a relief for the claimant to to finally be accepted, but a total mindfuck at the same time.

…and further evidence from the people supporting them. They will have been left in limbo for months, in some cases years, waiting for their chance for their case to be heard. Thousands of pounds will have been spent on preparing the case and gathering expert evidence.

…enormous damage has been done to the claimant’s mental health as they go through the process of refuting the reasons for refusal and gathering evidence to support their appeal. They’re likely to have spent months working with their solicitor, may have needed specialist psychological reports…

If I were deliberately trying to cause vulnerable refugees as much distress as possible, this is how I would do it. Constantly shifting the ground underneath them, never allowing them a moment of certainty and stability. This is barbarism.