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Original poster

Immigrants but legal ones?

484 replies

Tiktakmam · 30/08/2025 08:36

I’ve been living in the UK for 16 years, have two children, and work full-time. I consider myself integrated, living according to British values, and respecting this country. I look after myself and my home, and I try to contribute positively to the community.

Yet, many of us — especially from Eastern Europe — don’t feel entirely safe with the ongoing issues around illegal migrant boats. Even though we are legal residents, I’ve noticed growing dissatisfaction from some neighbours. When I mention that I’m from Eastern Europe, I often hear comments like, “Of course you are…” — basically implying I’m not British.

This makes me feel like I’ve somehow “brought these boats” here, as if I’m just another part of the immigrant problem. Seeing flags and attitudes that suggest “immigrants go home” is disheartening.

I also feel somewhat less confident around British people, especially in areas with mostly locals and fewer immigrants. For example, when I travel to campsites or smaller towns, I sometimes feel looked at as untrustworthy. Luckily, in London I feel much less like this.

Post-Brexit, it feels like the country has changed in ways that make life less secure, not just for immigrants but for everyone. It’s heartbreaking that all migrants, legal or not, are often dropped into one pot and judged as a single group.

I keep wondering — after so many years of people from other countries contributing to making the UK a brighter, more vibrant place, why does it feel like the country has been going downhill over time?

I feel so heartbroken, because I understand that the UK will never truly be my home, as I was not born here. Yet it hurts to realize that, with every passing year, it feels more and more like I will never be fully welcome.

Why has it gone so wrong on a broader scale? How can we have a healthier, safer society for everyone, while respecting the law and supporting integration?

I hope we can have a conversation about this that goes beyond fear and politics, and focuses on community, fairness, and safety for all residents.
Im just curious, in this era of migrant boats and heightened tension around immigration, how do you perceive or feel about other immigrants, even those who are legal residents? Does this climate affect the way you interact with them or how you feel about other immigrants, especially in less multicultural towns? What does your family of friends say?

OP posts:
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Ihavetoask · 30/08/2025 10:20

CaptainMyCaptain · 30/08/2025 10:16

It wasn't clear that's what you meant. It read like you were stating your own beliefs.

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It really wasnt if you actually read the posts instead of getting ready to virtue signal your wokeness. Hate when people do that.

It makes no sense to believe that a racist cares about your nationality or legal status here. They are racist! Or xenophobic at least.

banananas1999 · 30/08/2025 10:20

RedMaker · 30/08/2025 10:08

It's very simple: there's too many.

No people in history have ever consented or accepted becoming a minority in their own country and losing the dominant status in their own land.

That's happened already in areas of Britain.

"For things to remain the same, everything must change."

It doesn't matter now whether the government ignores the will of the people and tinkers with superficial changes within the existing - failed - system or decides to act. Huge changes are coming.

The only question is whether they'll come as a result of political action or violence. But the UK is now an extremely explosive mixture.

Ironic tho,how many cultures did british make go extinct- ask native australians,native americans etc

Catsbreakfast · 30/08/2025 10:20

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CaptainMyCaptain · 30/08/2025 10:19

Ihavetoask · 30/08/2025 10:16

Hence the "(or something)". The attitudes immigrants display against women are seen as worse than those displayed by native men. So again, why would legality change their view that immigrant men are more dangerous? They dont think that it is only the illegal immigrants, they think it's all immigrants. You.should be arguing with the people who believe this. You're likely to know some personally.

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I'm sure I don't know any I consider my friends or they wouldn't be my friends. My own daughter is mixed heritage I wouldn't countenance a racist in my social circle.

Ironfloor269 · 30/08/2025 10:19

The British didn’t have any qualms about invading resource-rich Asian countries and
pillaging to within an inch of their lives in the name of colonialism. Funny that. Didn’t think twice before robbing the resources and sucking the countries dry, did they?

Most foreigners come here because of universal nature of the English language, again, thanks to colonisation. The British are reaping what they sowed. The chicken are finally coming home to roost.

EarthlyNightshade · 30/08/2025 10:18

Ihavetoask · 30/08/2025 09:42

I don't understand why you'd think being here legally would change the minds of someone who is anti-immigration. The issue is that you are from a different culture that may worship a different God/follow a different religion, have different cultural values and will use resources that these types believe British people should have sole access to.

You may be here legally, but for example, your child may still require extra resources from their school simply because they speak a different language or have had adverse experiences that led you all to come here. Your child may get a place in a school above a British child who had it down as first choice. Your sons might look down on women in a way that British men do not (or something). You might wear a hijab. You will either claim benefits that British tax payers fund, or you will take jobs meant for Brits.

These are the issues that people have with immigration. Your legality is irrelevant.

Is this your view or are you describing something from the point of view of a racist?
I am actually laughing at the idea that British men don't look down on women, or I would be, if it was not such a distressing viewpoint.

The idea that anyone would not want to a child to receive support in school because of "adverse experiences" is frankly chilling.

inkognitha · 30/08/2025 10:18

DuncinToffee · 30/08/2025 10:14

People like Lowe, Robinson talk abour remigration going back a few generations.

You (and me) would not be safe from them.

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You can never say never but the chances of this happening for real are so low you’re just trying to scare yourself

Starseeking · 30/08/2025 10:18

If you with white skin feel like that, imagine how Black and Brown people born and brought up in the UK and lived here for decades feel in the current climate?

IceLollyMolly · 30/08/2025 10:17

I usually avoid these threads.

But maybe I should speak up as I am a recent immigrant to the UK- arrived in 2020- and just got my ILR, as have my husband and son. I am part of the much reviled Boriswave.

I am brown with a heavy accent. So is my family. We are all highly educated. We pay 40% tax. My son went to private school. We use private healthcare and travel to our home country for healthcare too. We are not religious- yes agnostic brown people exist!- and do not wear modesty clothing. All these should work in our favour but may not.

Maybe I took the job from a British person as did my husband. The jobs were advertised and we were the best candidates, seeing as how we have years of international experience. I refuse to be apologetic or cringingly grateful. I deserve to be here and will apply for citizenship next year if I can.

No doubt there will be racists who think a scruffily dressed brown woman is a drain on the country. That's their problem. Not my job to convince them.

Fairyliz · 30/08/2025 10:17

CaptainMyCaptain · 30/08/2025 09:56

Aha the xenophobe has appeared. Do you feel the same about all the British ex-pats (immigrants) taking advantage of a cheaper lifestyle in Spain or enjoying a higher tax-free income in Dubai or Saudi?

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Well if I was Spanish and having to pay to support brits I probably wouldn’t be totally happy.

Ihavetoask · 30/08/2025 10:16

CaptainMyCaptain · 30/08/2025 10:14

Your sons might look down on women in a way that British men do not (or something). Are you aware that nearly half the men arrested for recent anti- migrant violence have previous convictions for violence against women?

Hence the "(or something)". The attitudes immigrants display against women are seen as worse than those displayed by native men. So again, why would legality change their view that immigrant men are more dangerous? They dont think that it is only the illegal immigrants, they think it's all immigrants. You.should be arguing with the people who believe this. You're likely to know some personally.

catspyjamas1 · 30/08/2025 10:16

Ihavetoask · 30/08/2025 10:05

Please read the post before responding to it. My confusion is why anyone would believe legality would change the fact that racists believe Brits are white and hail from this side of Europe. If you are non-white, speak English as an additional language and aren't Christian, a racist British person would never see you as British in the same sense that they are, regardless of whether you have legal citizenship or not.

Racists are racist.

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I'm white, speak English and have a Christian background. I have dual citizenship, have lived in the UK for nearly 25 years and British people don't see me as British - never have and never will. I think your point about the legality (e.g citizenship) makes no difference is correct, but race isn't as big a factor as many think.

CaptainMyCaptain · 30/08/2025 10:16

Ihavetoask · 30/08/2025 10:14

Yes it is. But that's how racists think. So why would someone who is anti-immigration find a legal immigrant more acceptable than an illegal immigrant? They are against immigration!

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It wasn't clear that's what you meant. It read like you were stating your own beliefs.

SixtySomething · 30/08/2025 10:16

I understand where you are coming from and sympathise with your feelings, which are well-founded, I'm sure.
However, I think the hard truth is that immigrants are always made to feel unwelcome and always have been at some point or other. I believe the UK does pretty well in terms of the way it treats immigrants , compared to other countries.
Obviously, we're going through a difficult time at the moment with so many unauthorised arrivals and hopefully it will lead to action being taken.I don't want to cast doubt on what you are experiencing.
I

ThisLemonHare · 30/08/2025 10:15

I'm noticing the same in a different country, it's not just Britain. Many people have lost confidence in the immigration system and now bracket legal and illegal migrants together. I blame successive governments for allowing this to happen. There is also a scramble for resources in poorer economic circumstances and people already struggling are questioning the allocation of those resources. It's hard to know what to do apart from be respectful of the host country, integrate (much harder work than non immigrants tend to realise) and contribute as much as possible. Like you, I try to do all of those things.

RedMaker · 30/08/2025 10:14

QueenofDestruction · 30/08/2025 10:10

What shocks me is seeing pro Farage posts from a
British couple and of course ,,, I am not racist where the mother is a South African, white of course, living in the UK. Maybe they deserve a Trump situation where Trump voting people are shocked when white spouses who have ,lived in the US for years are being deported. Perhaps those who have residence or 2 passports should be careful who they support as that couple aren't exactly in a shortage job

Edited

Why's that shocking? You can be an immigrant and still believe in a stringent and controlled immigration system, and in preserving the native people and culture. In fact, I'd say it's proof that they've integrated and are truly British and care for this country and its future.

Ihavetoask · 30/08/2025 10:14

CaptainMyCaptain · 30/08/2025 10:11

Vile racism

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Yes it is. But that's how racists think. So why would someone who is anti-immigration find a legal immigrant more acceptable than an illegal immigrant? They are against immigration!

Robin67 · 30/08/2025 10:14

Fairyliz · 30/08/2025 09:07

Can I ask why you came here op?
If it was because you have a skill the country needs (doctor) then isn’t it sad that you have taken those skills it from your home country.
If it was for a better standard of living that implies the UK is giving you something,so you are taking from the UK.
Im not saying that now you don’t fully contribute, but there was a chance you might not. Does the country have the resources to offer that chance to unlimited amounts of people?

Taking from the UK? As opposed to everyone here, whether they were born here or not. And is/ was the UK totally independent since the dawn of time or has it benefited hugely from colonialism and current migration of skilled individuals?

CaptainMyCaptain · 30/08/2025 10:14

Your sons might look down on women in a way that British men do not (or something). Are you aware that nearly half the men arrested for recent anti- migrant violence have previous convictions for violence against women?

DuncinToffee · 30/08/2025 10:14

inkognitha · 30/08/2025 09:59

Well, I m not planning to be a criminal.
Thanks for trying to make me feel like a second class citizen because i don’t share your views, very pro-foreigner and inclusive of you.

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People like Lowe, Robinson talk abour remigration going back a few generations.

You (and me) would not be safe from them.

BundleBoogie · 30/08/2025 10:13

pointythings · 30/08/2025 09:53

I m British now, nobody can kick me out,

Oh yes they can. If you have a second nationality, they can absolutely deport you if they think you've committed a crime or are a danger to national security. And in the current climate, being Muslim and a bit brown might well be enough - the previous government tried to deport someone on those grounds - when all he'd done was committed tax fraud. Now that is of course a crime, but it doesn't make someone a threat to national security.

All it takes is a little bit of racism.

Now that is a post designed to be inflammatory.

And in the current climate, being Muslim and a bit brown might well be enough - the previous government tried to deport someone on those grounds - when all he'd done was committed tax fraud.

I can’t believe you said that with a straight face.

CaptainMyCaptain · 30/08/2025 10:11

Ihavetoask · 30/08/2025 09:42

I don't understand why you'd think being here legally would change the minds of someone who is anti-immigration. The issue is that you are from a different culture that may worship a different God/follow a different religion, have different cultural values and will use resources that these types believe British people should have sole access to.

You may be here legally, but for example, your child may still require extra resources from their school simply because they speak a different language or have had adverse experiences that led you all to come here. Your child may get a place in a school above a British child who had it down as first choice. Your sons might look down on women in a way that British men do not (or something). You might wear a hijab. You will either claim benefits that British tax payers fund, or you will take jobs meant for Brits.

These are the issues that people have with immigration. Your legality is irrelevant.

Vile racism

banananas1999 · 30/08/2025 10:11

I have lived in the UK for 20+ years, all my kids born in the UK, my husband is british and we are moving from England due to 5 years of harassment,stalking and verbal abuse due to my nationality, my children have also have been left traumatized for life as they are old enough to understand people shouting at me how I dont belong here etc and they find it upsetting. I have never involved myself with the offenders we always ignore them and just call the police but its not the way to live. Even doctors have made xenophobic comments aka people like you coming here demanding things (asking for a routine bloodtest for a chronic daily medicated health issue)

QueenofDestruction · 30/08/2025 10:10

What shocks me is seeing pro Farage posts from a
British couple and of course ,,, I am not racist where the mother is a South African, white of course, living in the UK. Maybe they deserve a Trump situation where Trump voting people are shocked when white spouses who have ,lived in the US for years are being deported. Perhaps those who have residence or 2 passports should be careful who they support as that couple aren't exactly in a shortage job

poetryandwine · 30/08/2025 10:09

pointythings · 30/08/2025 09:58

And here they are!

You'll be pleased to hear that I've taken many a British job. Because I was the best candidate for those jobs. If Brits can't compete, maybe they should work hard, train hard, learn new skills and be better.

Are you aware that lots of British women wear the hijab? Are you aware that not all immigrants are Muslim? Are you aware that not all Muslims are the same?

And of course if an immigrant is here legally, they have just as much right to a school place for their child as a British child. It all depends on where you live.

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Actually every child in the UK, no matter their status, has the right to an education. Equal access to education regardless of status is part of the ECHR, and the UK Parliament voted the key principles of the ECHR into law in the Human Rights Act of 1998.

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