The immigration processes across the world often seem to go out of their way to hurt those having to go through them. Research from the University of Portsmouth illustrates how this is the case in the UK.
“The current immigration system is destructive for those that are trying to work and continue with their lives. On the basis of their previous experiences, people with an unresolved immigration status tend to avoid contact with authorities,” the researchers explain. “Instead, they develop a habitual practice that we call cultivated invisibility, which means they find ways to go unnoticed and stay on the move and blend into the crowd, for example resting on public transport.”
The research analyzed the Everyone in project, which provided financial support to local authorities to help house homeless people during the pandemic. The project afforded the researchers the opportunity to interview people who are traditionally out of reach.
The report presents the results of an 18-month study, conducted with the support of the prominent homeless charity St Mungo’s. The study emphasizes the alarming issue of hidden homelessness, as the number of individuals accommodated during Everyone In was six times more than the number of people reported sleeping rough before the pandemic.
Positive start
The study shows that the Everyone In initiative had many benefits for migrants experiencing homelessness. By suspending the eligibility criteria for migrants and providing emergency accommodation, many received homelessness assistance for the first time. This led to access to essentials such as food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, and legal advice.
Furthermore, it improved mental health and access to support services like those relating to drug or alcohol use. The homelessness sector could access clients in hotel rooms rather than on the streets, allowing them to work more closely with their clients. This initiative also facilitated greater cooperation between institutions in the homelessness sector, including third-sector organizations and local authorities.
However, there were also negative aspects of Everyone In. The lockdowns caused a lack of autonomy and a feeling of surveillance for some, especially those with PTSD. Many interviewees shared their traumatic experiences, such as conflict and sexual assault, which caused difficulty during welfare checks.
“We recommend the continued suspension of the eligibility criteria that made Everyone In such a positive initiative for migrants experiencing homelessness and those working in the homelessness sector,” the researchers explain. “There needs to be better communication between the Home Office and embassies so that issues such as lost ID and paperwork can be resolved quickly thus speeding up immigration status claims.”
