The Windrush scandal is the latest news topic that everyone has been talking about over the last few weeks, and Ison Harrison is here to offer advice and assistance on the matter.
Since the Windrush debate started in April, many people have raised concerns over whether they will be affected by the errors made. Ison Harrison has moved to address this by setting up a Windrush Crisis Advice Session, to be held at the Reginald Centre Chapeltown Road, Leeds on Thursday 10th May between 2pm and 3pm.
Immigration advice from Ison Harrison
If you are one of the ‘undocumented’ Commonwealth Citizens that may be affected by the recent developments then you are welcome to come along. One of our senior Immigration solicitors Sarah Mayman will be holding the advice session, in which she will be offering general advice and working out a way forward for affected individuals. The session is limited to one hour’s duration but will undoubtedly be an invaluable resource.
As a community-focussed solicitors, we have reacted quickly to stage this session as a means of ensuring people can see beneath the sensational headlines and get clear, practical advice from a specialist immigration solicitor. We would recommend that anybody affected, or who thinks they may be affected, comes along to get expert advice on the issues that concern them.
What is the Windrush Scandal?
The Windrush Scandal erupted after it emerged that anybody that arrived in the UK from the Caribbean before 1973 was being asked to prove that they had a right to stay in the country, even though they had lived here legally for over 50 years. The problem has occurred as a result of landing cards proving their eligibility being destroyed in 2010, and a change in immigration rules in 2012 which was designed to create a ‘hostile environment’ for immigrants living in the UK illegally.
A wave of migrants started arriving in the UK in the 1940s and 50s and a boat named ‘The Empire Windrush’ was synonymous with sparking this movement, hence the name given to the recent crisis. The influx was welcomed in the UK, as in the most part the migrants were answering a call from the UK in the wake of a post-war labour shortage. It is estimated that nearly half a million people moved from the West Indies to the UK between 1948 and 1973 and hence, it is important that all these people understand their status and should not live in fear of being deported.
Our specialist immigration solicitors
Sarah Mayman has practised law in the field of immigration and asylum since 2005 and is a dedicated solicitor with an expertise in helping people with family-related immigration issues, and cases relating to citizenship and human rights. Sarah has unrivalled experience in this field and it is felt that this advice session could be a vital resource to allay fears of deportation for many Leeds citizens who were part of the ‘Windrush Generation’.
BBC Leeds will also be covering the event as a means of promoting the issue and advising any people affected that qualified, trusted and experienced legal help is available from Ison Harrison, even if you can’t make it to the Advice Session on Thursday.
