{UAH} Nkuba kyeyo scared as UK hunts for ‘illegals’
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11:28 AM |
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Ugandans living and working in the US at a social gathering. Their 'illegal' colleagues in the UK are to be hunted down
UKBA is now using vans displaying large adverts, as well as leaflets, posters and messages in local newspapers encouraging foreigners to return home to avoid forced action.
Chris Ward, the political affairs officer at the British High Commission, Kampala, told The Observer in an email today that UK Home Office teams were carrying out daily operations. They arrest, detain and deport people with no right to be in the UK.
A significant number of Ugandans (Nkuba Kyeyos) have over the years travelled to UK and are living there illegally. Upon arrival, many throw away their documents like passports, go 'underground', and do odd jobs to survive.
The new crackdown leaves many Ugandan Kyeyos in uncertainty. The possibility of deportation has also sparked fears back home especially among dependants who live off remittances from relatives in the UK.
The campaign also offers illegal immigrants the option of a text number they can text to arrange their graceful return. Those who call for help are given a chance to ship their belongings back home, clear their accounts and return home in a humane way. Otherwise, one could suffer the indignity of being put in a detention centre, put on a plane and deported in handcuffs like a common criminal.
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary James Mugume today urged Ugandans in the UK illegally to return home.
"Obviously Ugandans have been affected [by this hunt]. We have a department of Diaspora Services to help Ugandans living in the UK. If there is a new policy, and if you cannot meet the immigration requirements, then you come back home. But those who are there, we don't want them to be harassed so we help them but those who are new will have to conform to the new regulations," Mugume says.
New regulations will also require visitors entering the UK to deposit a security bond of £3,000, approximately Shs 12m, with the UK Home Office before they are allowed into the country. The new regulations aim at deterring immigrants from overstaying their visas. The money is repaid to visitors on their way out of UK. This immigration bond system will start in November with Pakistan, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana.
According to one Ugandan living in London, people wishing to invite a relative or friend to the UK are also required to deposit money at the UK Home office before their visitor is allowed into the country. Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, also asked Ms May to double the maximum fine for unscrupulous employers who hire illegal immigrants as cheap labour to £20,000 (approximately Shs 75m) per illegal worker up from £10,000.
Many foreigners travel to the UK with the hope of getting a better life and pay. Jackie Musasizi, who is married to a British, says even this will not guarantee you automatic citizenship or a job.
"I tried to apply for the jobs but they always asked me to apply for a right to remain and sort my papers before they could grant me employment. Few companies especially those who offer odd jobs are willing to offer illegal immigrants a job," Musasizi says.
So many foreigners after acquiring citizenship report that they cannot find a job and apply for unemployment benefits which come to £300 a week (approximately Shs 1m). This weighs heavily on the economy, making it difficult for the government to care for everyone who is unemployed.
This also puts a lot of pressure on free healthcare, education, housing, child care, employment and support benefits. Ugandans are now forced to move from one job to another to evade police crackdown. Before, enforcement officers were offering illegal immigrants 21 working days to produce the passport, but today, police drives one directly to his/her home to pick the passport. And if it's not produced, one is driven straight to the airport.smwesigye@observer.ug
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Rehema
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