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Rally demands 500,000 illegal immigrants be allowed to stay
Last updated at 20:37pm on 07.05.07Half a million illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay in Britain under an "earned amnesty", it has been suggested
The call was made at a rally in London attended by Labour MPs, church leaders and trade union bosses.
They believe anyone who has been living here illegally for four years – such as failed asylum seekers and visa overstayers – should be given a two-year work permit.
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Protestors at the rally in Trafalgar Square today
After that time they would be legally allowed to stay, provided they passed an English language test, had a job and no criminal record.
Later, they could apply for citizenship-The Home Office has no firm figures on the number of illegal immigrants in the UK, but estimates range from 450,000 up to 870,000.
Among those who attended the "Strangers into Citizens" rally were Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster; the Anglican Bishop of Southwark, Dr Tom Butler; Labour deputy leadership contender Jon Cruddas; and Jack Dromey, deputy leader of the Transport and General Workers' Union.
The Roman Catholic leader in England and Wales, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, spearheaded a rally in Trafalgar Square
Campaigners claim hundreds of thousands of immigrants are stuck in a "dehumanising limbo" in the UK and letting them work legally would bring huge benefits in extra taxes and better working conditions.
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said he did not want to encourage illegal immigration but with up to half a million "undocumented" migrants in the country some way must be found "for their rights to be respected."
Britain last granted an amnesty in 2003 to certain categories of asylum-seeker families. David Blunkett, then Home Secretary, predicted that around 14,000 families would qualify, allowing 50,000 people to settle legally in Britain.
But since then almost twice that number have taken advantage of the measure and stayed.
Critics say any such scheme is doomed to failure in the long term.
Both Spain and Italy have granted repeated amnesties over the past 20 years, yet the problem of illegal immigration has grown.
In Italy, a 1988 amnesty allowed 119,000 foreigners to settle. When the exercise was repeated in 2002 the figure soared to 700,000. In Spain, figures rose from 44,000 in 1985 to 700,000 two years ago.
Privately, Home Office officials admit there is no real prospect of returning most of Britain's illegal immigrants, meaning hundreds of thousands are likely to stay for years, working in the black economy.
Such a vast amnesty would allow the Government to wipe the immigration slate clean, but it would unleash a political storm.
Sir Andrew Green, chairman of the MigrationWatch think-tank, said: "This rally is no doubt well-intentioned, but it is thoroughly misconceived.
"An amnesty, even spread over several years, is absolutely bound to increase illegal immigration by people who will be undercutting the wages of British workers."
A Home Office spokesman said: "An amnesty for immigrants illegally in the UK is unnecessary and would simply create a strong pull for waves of illegal migration."
Reader views (16)
i think this a great and fantastic idea because i believe everyone has equal right
to stay in this country even if they are not British. and this will really benefit government and the lifes of innocent people who are overstayed in London and to asylums seekers.
- Hemanshu, london, 04/07/2009 21:47
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To the very negative comments of Mr Travers. How do you you know that so called illegal immigrants are not well integrated and are all criminals? I know many British nationals who are working illegally in the USA and Singapore. If said illegal migrant spoke perfect English would you still be as quick to judge or even be able to spot them? Are these hard working people who contribute to the economy somehow worth less? If all 'illegals' were removed, Britain would grind to a halt as these are the people who keep the economy healthy even during a recession. What happens to irregular immigrants who have successfully lived in Britain for more than ten years? Also, Mr Travers, if you want your comments to be taken seriously, study your English grammar and learn how to spell properly. I'm 100% in favour of naturalisation of irregular migrants.
- Nadine, Bedford, England, 05/06/2009 11:45
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The only way out resolving the problem of illegal immigration in uk is to put the already illegal immigrant in uk on pact to citizenship by allowing them the opportunity to work and support themselves without recourse to public fund for at least five years. secondly the borders should be tighted and a law promogated that such amesty will not happened again. People migrate to uk due to the hardship in their native countries they spend fortune before reaching this country most of this immigrant are even highly qualify in their own field, helping them out will be a welcome idea not only illegal immigrant should be help but any one who has reside in this country for more than five years. If this is done Uk immigration will start on clean slate.
- Andrew Moore, England, 04/05/2009 21:16
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Has britain lost its back bone !!, theses immigrants have broke the british law already being here and staying after they were to go back where they are from!! They act like the british goverment owe them a favour!! They should be rounded up and shipped back to there own country!! And then what they will try and say to stop us doing that ,is that we are raciest!! When they are the raciest ones!! Not one of these immarants have earned the right to stay because they have broke the law , so there rights are imeediatly taken away!! They just think "what britain can give them" not "what can i give britain!! And as for protesting about it thats just very insulting to the british people!! 90% of these people would have been commiting lots more crimes whilest here,such as rape, murder , theft, fraued,assult, afray,drugs! and they do not want to intergrate to our community ,so then because of that they think we are raciest!!?? But i ask myself hows that! we are just living in our rightly Queens land!!
- aidan travers, england cumbria, 27/03/2009 09:37
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To all of you boring ppl with the good or bad comments above, one message for you:
Come on Boris, I hope you win this!
You don’t know what it means not to see your mum on mothers day for 10 years in a row, right?
- Blade, Kingston, 10/03/2009 01:13
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An amnesty would be a really good idea because those people whom have spent many years living in despair, low paid jobs and really bad living conditions. Most of these people still have hope that one day the Government will actually do something positive for them. Most of these people are so badly off that they cannot afford to go back to their countries of origin and are still living and hoping for a brighter future. They are mostly genuine refugees who should be given a second chance to prove themselves. The UK Government should seriously think hard and come up with something as this will benefit the whole economy and will reduce crime and will be good news for human rights policies.
- Nawid, Peterborough, 07/01/2008 21:53
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I think an amnesty will be good for the ecomony financially and will bring in thousands of pounds in the form of tax to the industry. What the home office needs to do is to implement some form of code on the visa to prevent them from claiming benefits for the next 5-6 years. At present most young citizens choose not to work because the system provides flats and money for them so immigrants have to fill these spots.
- Dex, London, 30/09/2007 18:57
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Brilliant, finally the Catholic Church has done something human, as opposed to its ill-fated anti-gay crusade.
This country has been formed by different waves of migration throughout the centuries, and that's what's most beautiful about it.
Most of these illegal immigrants are being exploited by ruthless employers, at the same time they are filling a gap in the work industry (as Brits are unwilling to do take the jobs they do) - it is only fair they are treated equally.
Well done!
- Victor, London, 30/09/2007 17:57
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These do gooders must be out of their minds
- Philip, norwich, norfolk, 30/09/2007 17:57
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Call me a cynic but I'd be curious to see what the proportion of legal immigrants taking part in this rally were. I'll wager that had the immigration authorities been out checking people's legal status at the event they'd have raised their capture rates a considerable amount.
- Trevor Roll, London, 30/09/2007 17:57
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Sarkozy is having a crackdown so no doubt they can all move from, France to England
- Tomtom, Leeds England, 30/09/2007 17:57
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Unless the pope is going to loosen up some of the billions of Pounds in Vatican treasures and bank accounts to pay for these illegal immigrants, then I suggest the catholic church SHUT UP and stay out of it!
- Arthur Deconstantinioni Iii, London, 30/09/2007 17:57
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This rally would make the perfect opportunity for the home office to round them all up and send them home! An amnesty - What message will this send to all the immigrants heading here - enter illegally and you can stay. The total number could and probably would be in the millions! This country is soft and has no respect for its own cultural beliefs or heritage. Most people have had enough and I for one would welcome a clamp down on those being allowed to enter.
- Fly, london, 30/09/2007 17:57
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"a one-off "earned amnesty"
Worst thing you could do.
America tried that in 1986, illegal immigration got worse as they gambled that more amnesties would follow.
- Stan, Expat, 30/09/2007 17:57
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Whilst I agree in principle, that is, I do think our whole immigration system is shambles nad far too many decent people are getting hurt, I can't help; but wonder at the shocking moral schizophrenia of Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, who, along with the church he represents, offers only hope for dignity and respect towards those who they feel they "comfortable" with, and not towards ALL those that deserve it. Where is the redoubtable cardinal when people are being brutalised, lynched and stoned, what has he ever said to disaprove of these actions? Nothing. Christ didn't demand of us to be selective in our love, as Cormac Murphy-O'Connor seems to believe. Everytime I see this man in the media espousing love and support, a cold chill runs down my spine
- Jenny Hynes, Plymouth, England, 30/09/2007 17:57
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Someone whose got heart will consider that illegal immigrant are being exploited, at least give them a chance by granting them amnesty with no access to any benefits in the country. Remember that we are all human beings.
- Glory, London, 30/09/2007 17:57
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