Instead of MORE safe routes, the Home Secretary’s cruel and hostile policy leaves very few for those attempting to join their families.

Families belong together.

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#refugeeswelcome #migrants #westlondon #family #reunion #homeoffice #hammersmith

Over the past decade 92% of refugee family reunion visas issued were to women and children. However, these relatives now face a stark choice between remaining in conflict zones without their loved ones or beginning a dangerous and irregular journey to the UK.

Restricting refugees from applying to bring their relatives to safety not only impacts their mental health and integration, but inevitably leads to more dangerous Channel crossings since they will be left with no formal routes to join their families.

After years of repression back home and subsequently surviving on the breadline here, he can finally start living his life in the way he wants to, on his own terms. We couldn’t be happier for him.

But the sunshine this week brought justice. Today, despite the untruths told about him in court, he told us he had won his appeal case and has been granted asylum!!

On top of all this, he had a serious medical condition which he has had to cope with, while living in near-destitution due to the Home Office banning him from working and giving him just £8.86 a week to live on for years.

This couldn’t be more untrue. He doesn’t just speak English - he reads and writes extensively in English, which he's practiced daily since he arrived here. He is a victim of torture and sought political asylum here after the repressive actions of his government back home meant his life was at risk.

He told us that in court during his asylum appeal, the Home Office barrister told the room that he spoke no English, hadn’t integrated into the UK, and had only come here to use the NHS, so shouldn’t be granted asylum.

At our centre we have a wonderful, bookish, softly-spoken, well-loved community member from Chad. He reads and writes prolifically. We love having conversations with him about politics and the latest novel he’s read. He’s waited nearly three years for a decision on his asylum claim.

That’s the beauty of solidarity, friendship, and knowing your neighbour’s favourite snacks, books and everyday acts of kindness as well as the visa they arrived here on.

The great thing about building community is that it only gets stronger over time. We’ve gone through so much together - homelessness, the Rwanda plan, other hostile government policies - and we’ll keep going together no matter what.

Migration is just a fact of life. Most people stay in the place they are from, but some people move - they always have done and they always will. The longer successive governments continue to demonise people coming here for safety or a better life, the more the far right will be able to grow.

We’re so proud of being a community built on friendship and joy, and we celebrate our diverse neighbourhood, commonalities and differences.