Jesus Army: Magazine - Rant and rave

“CHEATS”, “scroungers”, “criminals” – media words for asylum seekers. Most asylum seekers arrive with nothing, fleeing persecution, war, and threat of death; seeking a safe refuge. Often traumatised, they are dependent on interpreters, solicitors, and an inadequate “support” system.

Imagine: you’re in a strange culture; you don’t speak the language; you have ten days to prepare and submit your case in that language, knowing the system is loaded against you. Happy with that?

The asylum system often regards people as just numbers. Above 90 per cent of asylum seekers receive a “no” from the Home Office. Support and accommodation is cut; they end up destitute. Many depend on friends themselves below the poverty line. They face pressures of deportation.

Stress, grinding poverty, uncertainty: all produce high levels of sickness and mental health problems for asylum seekers. Many become depressed and turn to drugs or even suicide.

Many asylum seekers have high levels of professional skills. They want to work, but are not allowed to while their case is being determined: “supported” (ha!) at 30 per cent below the accepted minimum living standard; accommodated in poor housing in “hard to let” inner city areas. If they do receive permission to stay in this country as refugees, they face great difficulties in finding houses or jobs and are discriminated against on every hand.

Christians are commanded to love the stranger and welcome the poor, showing them the love of Christ: “Inasmuch as you did it to them you did it to me.” Let’s speak out for those who have no voices and break down the unjust barriers in our society.

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