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UK: No "immigrants"

01 May 1996

Clauses in the Asylum and Immigration Bill which use the term "immigrants" (relating to employment, housing and child benefit) are to be reworded, according to Home Office minister Baroness Blatch, after concern was expressed that the term could be taken pejoratively and could cause anxiety to black communities. The original clause 8 made it an offence for an employer to employ an "immigrant" who does not have permission to work; clause 9 told local housing authorities not to house "immigrants" of a class specified by the minister; and clause 10 deprived "immigrants" of child benefit. Unfortunately, the Baroness's commitment to alleviating the anxieties of Britain's black communities did not extend so far as to withdraw the clauses altogether. Thus, employers will still find that they risk prosecution if they employ certain people defined by reference to their citizenship and immigration status; housing authorities will, under the amended clause, still have to refuse housing on the basis of people's immigration status; and child benefit will still be refused by reference to some immigration or citizenship-related formula. Black people will still find themselves having to produce their passports to prove their eligibility for many public services and for jobs. The CRE reported that employers were jumping the gun by telling black job applicants that they would have to get clearance from the Home Office to employ them.