July 2020
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for writing to me about the Immigration and Social Security Coordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill. I have read your email carefully and noted the key points that you raise, and the debate of 30th June is easily accessible online at Hansard.
I welcome the fact that the Government remains committed to an immigration policy that welcomes and celebrates those who are here legally. The Government is to build a fairer single, global immigration system which considers people based on their skills, rather than nationality. Illegal immigration should be deterred and prevented and I believe my constituents would expect nothing less.
It is my understanding that the Immigration Rules already provide a route for undocumented migrants to regularise their immigration status. I welcome the fact that these rules are kept under constant review and evolve in light of feedback and findings of the courts.
Regarding child refugees, the UK’s resettlement schemes offer a safe and legal route to the UK for the most vulnerable refugees. Over 19,300 people have been resettled through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme and over 1,700 have been resettled through the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme. I strongly believe that we need to do all we can to help the world’s most vulnerable people, and I have previously written a detailed response about Child Refugees and Family Reunion.
To read this please see: https://www.jonathanlord.co.uk/child-refugees-and-family-reunion
Regarding detention, recent figures show that as of the week commencing 23 March, there were 736 people in detention, and that the vast majority of those were foreign national offenders. It is my understanding that the detention of each individual is reviewed on a regular basis. Ministers and officials are clear that lawful immigration detention is necessary to keep the public safe and that appropriate legal safeguards are in place, and MPs and Parliament continue to hold the Government to account on these matters.
For more information please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-and-social-security-co-ordination-eu-withdrawal-bill
Thank you again for writing to me.
With best wishes.
Kind regards,
Jonathan Lord MP
Member of Parliament for Woking