Fizza Qureshi Archives - Migrant tales

Fizza Qureshi*

Integration is a two-way process. Simply blaming migrants for failing to integrate or learn English isn’t a viable way forward. So it’s vital that migrant communities are involved in any discussion and development of a UK-wide integration strategy argues MRN Director, Fizza Qureshi.

There was a moment this week where there was a sense of deja vu with the buzz surrounding integration, which soon disappeared once it became apparent that it wasn’t the Casey Review haunting us. This time it was a new report released by APPG on Social Integration launching its Interim Report into Integration of Immigrants.

The highlights from the report include: the need to develop a national strategy, compel immigrants to speak English, and develop regional immigration systems. The recommendations in the report offer few new insights, because they work along the same flawed concepts highlighted in the Casey Review. The only glimmer of hope in the report is that there were some recommendations we could use to build upon.

Integration and Shared Values?

The starting point for any discussion on integration has to be what definition of integration is being used, and is it widely accepted by migrants and settled communities?

Continue reading “Migrants’ Rights Network: The Integration or Imitation Game?”

Fizza Qureshi*

MRN’s new Director, Fizza Qureshi, welcomes the New Year and the major challenges it brings. The picture may look bleak, but that’s no reason for pessimism. It’s a spur to building alliances and campaigning harder for a rights-based approach to migration.

It is a great honor and privilege to be taking the helm of MRN, following in the footsteps of Don and working with an incredibly passionate team. Although I wish it were during better times and not with the current focus on immigration being the hot political potato again.

This climate reminded me of a song I recently heard, The Temptations “Ball of Confusion”:

“…Segregation,

Determination

Demonstration

Integration

Aggravation

Humiliation

Obligation to our nation

Ball of confusion

Oh, yeah, that’s what the world is today”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns5YnHI2N54

The world is in a ball of confusion; fake news, a post-fact world, along with knee-jerk reactions and emotions whilst those fleeing horrendous circumstances are being ignored, unless it feeds into a greater agenda. So, how can we overcome the aggravation, humiliation, segregation and start to make sense of things?

Over the coming year below are some of the key issues that we at MRN will be focusing on.

Will Brexit mean Brexit?

Top of the agenda this year will be Brexit with the initial hurdle being the decision of the courts and then the triggering of Article 50. Although, this will partly depend on the number of cases taken against the government’s unilateral decision-making process. While the UK organises its separation and divorce from the EU, there will be little reassurance to the 3 million EU citizens waiting anxiously on what deals will be made to secure their position in the UK.

It would serve the UK government well, if it begins to understand the ridiculous nature of leaving so many people in limbo, and forcing them to undertake the prolonged, and sometimes unsuccessful residency application. While some EU citizens wait patiently for a decision on their rights, some will continue to be subjected to administrative removal, a piece of legislation we need to campaign hard against. MRN and others will be waiting with baited breath for the decision of the judicial review.

Continue reading “Migrants’ Rights Network: The challenges facing migrants’ rights campaigners in 2017”