Standing with refugees and migrants across the borough

Anyone who has grown up, lives or works in Islington will have stood shoulder to shoulder with people born outside the UK. They are our classmates, nurses, doctors, carers, teachers, our friends and family.  

Islington is, and always will be, a home for migrants. We have a long, proud history of welcoming newcomers into our communities, and around 40% of our residents were born overseas. A Borough of Sanctuary, we want to create an equal, thriving society. One where everyone can contribute and benefit from a shared future.  

For this reason, we cannot and will not stand by silently while the Government attempt to make changes that would make it more difficult for migrants and refugees to settle permanently in the UK and enjoy the same rights as everyone else. 

Any settlement route being longer than 5 years will not bring our community closer together, it will pull us apart. We know that most of our residents are equally as alarmed by these changes, and there are large swathes of the population who are not supportive of the Government’s proposals. 

When we say to someone that they are welcome here for the rest of their lives, and when we give them equal access to support services, we make a commitment to a shared future together. Without that commitment, we risk creating a two-tiered society, in which neighbours and friends do not see the same benefits of investing in their community today. 

To our residents who may be worried or scared, we have a message: your council is on your side. 

We will always advocate for you, and we are doing what we can to encourage the Government to change course, to pause on these sweeping changes and reflect on what direction they want to take the UK in. We have written to the Home Secretary and made sure that our responses to consultations on the changes make a case for an alternative, an immigration system compatible with our vision for a more equal future. 

Islington stands as an example of what we can achieve when we work together, and the benefits that come from multi-cultural integration. If Islington is your home, know that your council and your community are on your side. 

Cllr Una O'Halloran
Leader of Islington Council 

Cllr Sheila Chapman
Executive Member for Equalities, Communities & Inclusion