Creating a ”hostile environment” has not only proved to be ineffective but is also dumb, wasteful and laughable!

Picture this: an individual has just crossed the Atlantic in a tiny inflatable boat, after weeks of perilous treks and in company of people who would cut your throat without any second thought, and we think making it difficult for them to get access to benefits or healthcare is an effective deterrent? Some of these individuals have faced situations (including those that are just economic migrants trying to pass themselves off as refugees) and hardship that we could never even imagine. Yet, we think hateful words or verbal abuse such as ”go home” will stop them from coming here? Our government speaks of creating a ”hostile environment”; laughable isn’t it? Some of these people are fleeing gunshots and bombings and famine etc. And even those who are economic migrants or opportunists have spent weeks in horrible conditions at the mercy of people-smugglers. So, I’m afraid, putting their children in cages like they did in America or our ”hostile environment” here, is just pandering to hate and populism, it is not curbing illegal migration or any other type of migration!

What needs to be done, is to improve our immigration infrastructure, educate our communities, address poverty here – so that all poor, suffering locals get enough help (benefits, healthcare, social housing etc) so that they do not feel neglected at the expense of immigrants (yes, a few numpties will remain intolerant regardless, but they will be a small minority), mandate adoption if our basic norms & behaviour etc.

So much money is being wasted on these clearly ineffective methods such as ’hostile environments’ – utter rubbish! Use that money to fund a robust process and you won’t need to create hostile environments. There’s so much decent cultural experiences that can be shared e.g. cuisines. BUT littering, attempts to practice sharia law in the UK, forced marriage or wearing trousers so low that your underwear is on full display, is not acceptable behaviour in the UK and our laws and norms should be respected and followed by everyone wishing to live here, without exception..