Charity raises homelessness concerns for Afghan refugees
A Birmingham charity that helps refugees has raised homelessness concerns for Afghan refugees who arrived in the UK before the Taliban took over Afghanistan.
Phil Davis from The Hope Projects, supporting those in Birmingham and the Black Country whose asylums was refused, has raised concerns about homelessness for Afghan refugees. The charity worries that people refused would either become homeless or be sent back home and face prosecution from the Taliban.
“There are a lot of people in Birmingham, in the West Midlands, who have been left literally street homeless and destitute because of those refusals of asylum.”
The Afghans who flee from Kabul and arrived in the UK under the new resettlement scheme are currently awaiting a governmental decision on their leave to remain. But the local charity fears that Afghans who came before them might become homeless.
People who refuse asylum are evicted from their houses and ruled out “ from most social security benefits” and are forbidden from working.
The Hope Project is currently helping those whose claims were denied to reverse the “flawed” decision providing legal advice and supporting refugees in getting a house or financial aid.
The latest data shows that over 3,000 Afghans in the UK are waiting for approval of their leave to remain. According to the Refugee Council, those whose claim was inadmissible had to or will have to wait six months to process their application.
Enver Solomon, the CEO of the Refugee Council, said: “It is cruel and unfair to leave people living in desperate limbo, not knowing what their future holds.”
The Home Office offers those who refused the asylum resubmission of their claims if an individual has no right to appeal and will provide the “new evidence” to support the claim.
A Home Office spokesperson said:
“The Home Office can provide reassurance that no one who is at risk of persecution or serious harm in Afghanistan will be expected to return there.
“Given the complex situation in Afghanistan, enforced returns of those who have been refused asylum and who have exhausted all rights of appeal are currently paused while we consider the situation.
“Afghan nationals who have become destitute after exhausting their appeal rights are able to apply for asylum support from the Home Office.”
Birmingham City Council has been contacted for comment.
