People who have been forced to leave their home country, such as refugees, are tired of being constantly reminded that they are not wanted or accepted.

I will never understand why Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, is pushing for policies that will only cause more suffering and uncertainty for refugees. As someone who arrived in the UK from Syria at the age of 21, I have personally experienced the harsh realities of the UK asylum system. When I first arrived, I was forced to stay in a 'hotel room' for over 18 months. This 'hotel' was regularly attacked by far-right protestors and on one occasion, during the 2024 riots, they even tried to set it on fire. The conditions were dire, it felt like a prison. We were isolated, given only £8 a week to survive, and faced long wait times when trying to get support. Leaving the 'hotel' was also challenging, as there was always tension in the air and we often heard hateful slurs from people outside. When I was finally granted refugee status, I was given only 28 days to find housing and meet my basic needs. This involved navigating complex bureaucracy and underfunded local authorities. I came to the UK to build a better and safer life for myself and my family, away from the constant war and violence in my home country. However, I now see that my taxes are funding the same cycle of aggression in the region. This only leads to more forced displacement. The conditions in the UK asylum system are not only physically and mentally retraumatising, but they also target the most vulnerable individuals who have already faced oppression. Sadly, I have seen people in my social circle take their own lives while trying to navigate the hostile barriers put in place by the government. It is clear that change is needed in the way we handle refugees in the UK. However, it is disheartening to see that the Home Secretary is heading in the wrong direction. Under the new rules, every refugee will be given temporary status and their status will be checked every 30 months, instead of the current five-year timeline. If their home country is deemed safe, they will be forced to return. This move is not only disappointing but also life-changing for those affected. It is no surprise, as the Labour party seems to be doubling down on right-wing messaging when it comes to immigration, despite being outflanked by the Greens on the left. I believe that the whole process of dealing with refugees needs to change, as agreed by myself and my colleagues at the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. However, the government's actions only make the process more difficult and intentionally exclude and alienate refugees, further dividing our communities. Imagine being a child fleeing war and arriving in the UK, where you barely speak the language and know no one. You try to rebuild your life, go to school, make friends, and regain some sense of normalcy. But with the new rules, you are constantly worried about being deported if your home country is deemed safe in two and a half years. This is the cruel reality of the system that Shabana Mahmood is implementing without a parliamentary vote. And as someone who has gone through the gruelling process of gaining refugee status, I know that if I were to come to the UK today, I would be subject to these destabilising new rules. For the most vulnerable in our communities, this means living in constant fear of deportation and displacement, with no stability or opportunity to make long-term plans. It is heartbreakingly inhumane, especially for those fleeing war, persecution, and climate breakdown. While they are denied access to work and forced to live on scraps, the government plans to make their situation even more precarious. They will have to relive the traumatic application cycle every two and a half years, all while risking attacks from far-right extremists. It is clear that the government does not believe refugees have an equal right to stability and autonomy. They are willing to gamble with their futures in a misguided attempt to appeal to voters. The government's actions only make life difficult for the most vulnerable in our communities, forcing them into an indefinite cycle of precarity, poverty, and distress. It is time for a change. The Green party's victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election shows that the public can be swayed by a positive message of hope and compassion towards migrants. Instead of demonising refugees, we need to grant lawful status to undocumented migrants, allow people seeking safety to use the same routes as everyone else to cross the Channel, and give all asylum seekers a permanent home in the UK. This is a basic human right that we must protect and extend to everyone. I will never understand why Shabana Mahmood is pushing for policies that will cause more suffering and uncertainty for refugees. But I remain hopeful by advocating for those affected by the UK's hostile immigration regime and researching ways to build a fairer system that gives dignity and justice to everyone.