What is the Future of Immigration?

With the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimating an approximate 10 million refugees worldwide, asylum seekers have established themselves as being integral members of the international community.

Following a recent claim from an influential House of Lords committee that record levels of immigration were having "little or no impact on the economic-well being of Briton's", it is now time to ask ourselves whether asylum seekers should be allowed to remain in Britain?

Are we failing to acknowledge the potential benefits of asylum seekers, shooting them down before they have the chance to prove themselves; based on hearsay and misrepresented misconceptions?

The general consensus among many has been that refugees seeking asylum in the United Kingdom are perfectly within their rights to do so, on the basis that they are not simply making up the numbers, but making some sort of contribution to the economy.

Although, the negative attitudes towards asylum seekers come from not so much cynical, but misinformed Britons who are frustrated and feel hard done by the free accommodation and support offered to some refugees, while the majority of working class families, slave away to provide what asylum seekers appear to get offered on a plate!

Inevitably the arrival of more and more asylum seeking refugees will add to the burden of taxpayers in evidently difficult economic times; putting pressure on national health services and the availability of dwindling natural resources.

However, it is worth noting that in the whole of Manchester there are only about 1,000 asylum seekers receiving support, and some of them do not receive any means of accommodation.

Nevertheless, we must accept that asylum seekers have had varied experiences.

Many have been subjected to ordeals that we could not possibly imagine: Horrific beatings; persecution; torture; the desire to escape war and violence and young children being sent to fight are just a tip of the iceberg as to why asylum seekers seek refugee here.

It is these things that draw asylum seekers to come and seek refuge in our country. The American Dream is almost in their minds a vision of a personal British Dream.

In actual fact it is economic migrants- not asylum seekers who come here economic, social and political development in terms of being: financially able to support their families back home; interact in a multi- cultural society; have the right to vote in a democratic union and ultimately have a better quality of life.

While many of us complain about insignificant things such as the weather; asylum seekers are privileged to be plucked into a democratic society where the image of violence, injustice and young children armed with weapons on street corners becomes a distant memory.

Australia has spearheaded a points-based immigration system to recruit only those who have something to offer to that country. I am of the opinion that a capped quota system would be the way forward and those who seek asylum have to prove to the authorities that they are taking real steps and are worthy of a potential citizenship.

This is easier said than done. This may cause a range of difficulties; one being that not every country is a member of the leading bodies such as The United Nations, G8 and Security Councils.

I took the time to interview high profile political figures within my area and organisations to find out their views on the position of asylum seekers in the United Kingdom.

Sir Richard Leese, Manchester City Council leader said: "We should be prepared to welcome those people genuinely forced to flee their own countries because their lives are at risk.

"Over the years asylum seekers and larger numbers of economic migrants have contributed enormously to the economic well-being of cities and to their vibrancy and dynamism.

"Many asylum seekers and refugees have endured unthinkable hardship and deserve our sympathy but we shouldn't be forcing them to depend on state handouts but allow them to pay their own way through working whilst their cases are decided."

Tony Lloyd , Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party and Member of Parliament for Manchester Central said: "I think that in Britain we should try to respect and provide proper human rights for asylum seekers.

"For example, the thousands of Zimbabweans that are forced to illegally cross the border to flee to South Africa in a bid to escape poverty, violence and hunger; coupled with the millions of Jews who fled to Eastern European countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia and the USSR during the 20th century to escape the holocaust genocide.

"Manchester is one of a number of cities home to the largest concentration of Somalis.

He continued: "Cases like these should be given a strong sense of protection by Britons in view of the fact that asylum seekers have involuntarily left their homeland.

"Although, there are asylum seekers whose cases are not genuine and so there should be strict controls to try to find a distinction between the genuine and not so genuine cases.

"In a situation your heart goes out to those who have compassion for others, but as compassion should be maintained it should not be given to those who do not deserve it.

"There are those with fascist ideology who whip hatred against asylum seekers in the belief they are not ideal for the state and its citizens.

He added: "If people do abuse the system then it seems justifiable to want to get rid of asylum seekers.

"Even so we should protect the genuine refugees seeking asylum against the opposition who do not want genuine refugees seeking asylum."

Elva Parinaud of the Gus John Partnership Limited said: "The current situation in countries around the world is becoming increasingly chaotic.

"Civil unrest and political conflict have left many innocent people homeless and in fear of their safety and that of their families.

"Britain continues to offer asylum to those fleeing violent situations. It is important that countries continue to assist each other in the struggle against political and social injustice worldwide.

"However, procedures of detention during application reviews should be closely monitored to ensure that asylum seekers are not placed under further mental or physical stress.

"Providing aid in such situations often brings the thoughts and values of our community to the surface.

"The negative part of these sentiments reflects the problem of racism that is in great need of attention in British society."

Meanwhile, Dennis Hindley, a Jehovah's Witness cited the New Testament reading of Acts Chapter 10 verse 34-35' to express that the way in which "God does not show favouritism and accepts men from every nation" should be replicated in the treatment of asylum seekers.

Refugee Council also maintained that providing asylum seekers are ready to abide by British laws then they should be made welcomed and made to feel at home.

"We think that people that choose not to live their lives in danger and want to live safely should be without a shadow of a doubt given a warm welcome."

Julia Ravenscroft, a spokesperson for the charity Refugee Action in Manchester, said:

"Refugees come to the UK because they are fleeing persecution and not for economic reasons.

"Many are from some of the world's most dangerous trouble spots and often spend all of their money on escaping to safety.

"Under the United Nations Convention on Refugees we have a legal and moral obligation to protect those whose lives are in danger and we must continue to do this.

"While they are seeking protection, asylum seekers need to be treated with humanity and given a fair hearing so that the right decision is made on their case.

"Refugees often go on to make a big contribution to communities in Britain, both economically and culturally."