LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Afghan refugees fleeing Kabul fear being classified as illegal immigrants shortly because they have not gotten updated papers, according to their lawyers, who added that it is unclear how many are missing documentation essential to work lawfully and rent homes.
The migrants’ temporary visas are set to expire in a few days, leaving them exposed, but the Home Office has dismissed the attorneys’ warnings as “needless scaremongering,” according to the BBC on Friday.
As the country succumbed to the Taliban the previous year, British and other NATO armed troops evacuated roughly 15,000 Afghans from Kabul.
Those who were evacuated were given temporary visas of six months with the promise of being given the chance to settle later – a promise that has yet to be fulfilled.
However, the Law Society, which represents solicitors, claimed that companies throughout Britain are now receiving inquiries for assistance from people whose temporary legal status is set to expire in the coming week, leaving them with no way of establishing their legal status.
Afghans who served with NATO forces or are relatives of those who did say they have not gotten updated documentation and have been unable to obtain answers from officials.
It’s unclear as to how many Afghans are affected, and officials have refused to say how many have been granted permanent status in Parliament so far.
They will be unable to work, rent homes, open bank accounts, or utilise the National Health Service until they have these documents.
The Home Office must produce proof of these people’s continued right to rent housing, work and study as soon as possible, said the president of the Law Society, I Stephanie.
The UK’s ‘warm welcome’ will be meaningless unless the government provides real assurances that will relieve thousands of people’s concerns and provide them with the legal certainty that they require.
Afghans had been given verbal promises that their papers would arrive eventually, according to the Home Office.
Afghan citizens who have been resettled here already have the right to work, have access to education and healthcare, and can apply for public subsidies, according to a representative for the Home Office.
“While we are in the process of granting all indefinite leave to remain, all have valid leave while this is ongoing, so to suggest they are at risk of losing their rights is completely wrong.” they continued.
