As an immigrant working in the NHS on a health and care visa, I am dismayed, disappointed, angry and terrified by Labour’s immigration reform proposals, due to their potential impact on me, on other immigrants and on all British society (NHS could cease to function under Labour’s new visa rules, say nurses, 6 October).
Until the immigration white paper was published, I naively assumed that anti-immigrant sentiment was restricted to the Tories and Reform UK. When Labour came to power, I felt tremendous relief and a budding sense of safety and optimism. I soon learned how naive I was. Betrayed and used, I now fear that I will lose my job and my home.
The Labour party must come to its senses. First, immigrants already here must be allowed to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) under the law as it was when we came into the country. This is only fair to our employers and us. Second, the health and care visa must remain. Think of your loved ones in need of care. Third, the time needed to get ILR and citizenship must not be increased. It is far better to have an island of strangers than one of corpses. Finally, visa fees must not be increased. We earn very little, and many struggle to pay visa renewal fees. If the NHS and councils lose much of their immigrant workforce and are made to pay higher visa-sponsorship fees for twice as long, they will be seriously affected.
Florence Graham
London
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