A Home Office spokeswoman says the proposals were “part of an effort to get a workable immigration policy across the E.U.”. She insisted that the directive “would not lead to the expulsion of bona fide refugees.” The directive was still in the draft stage, and the U.K. “is not obliged” to change its immigration policies if the policy is finally accepted.

Robina Qureshi, director of Glasgow-based Positive Action in Housing, which campaigns on behalf of ethnic minorities, says the E.U. directive would “remove all peace of mind from people desperately trying to rebuild their lives.”

She added: “Refugees will be under constant review and they will be so focused on their asylum claim that they will not be able to make a life for themselves. Every new policy seems to be about making life as hard as possible for refugees.”

Neil Mackay, Sunday Herald Home Affairs Editor
neil.mackay@sundayherald.com

Article courtesy of Scotland’s Sunday Herald:
http://www.sundayherald.com

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