A good answer to "how many asylum seekers do you have living with you?"

[SomersetBrie]

I see this quite a lot in a fairly supportive group I belong to.
Lots of people dispelling the myth that asylum seekers are raking it in, taking jobs and benefits, etc.
A positive space and then someone comes in saying "if you are so supportive of asylum seekers, how many fighting age men do you have living with you?"
It really annoys me! It's possible to be supportive of a cause without actually taking people in.
All I can think of is really rude responses, I'd like something measured and decent and not allow them to get away with shutting people down with that.

(and I know I'll get negative responses to this post, but I will be super grateful to anyone who can come up with something I can use)

231,465

I dont know why you wouldn't just be honest and say 'gosh i wouldn't ever have those people living with me, perish the thought'. Or similar.

"if you are so supportive of asylum seekers, how many fighting age men do you have living with you?"

"Resorting to hyperbole? I'm not going to carry on arguing if it's in bad faith".

"You silly little sausage" and then pat them on the head.

I used to be in a program where we had young women living in our homes (pregnant and homeless). It was great. I wouldn't have had men/boys in general. Although some people did. Most people wouldn't want anyone living with them outside family. Regardless of where they come from.

Well, it's a question designed to get to truth and test your motivation.

"None. I don't have any homeless people either. Maybe I should."
But it's a stupid thing to say ("How many...?). Will people actually say that? I'd be inclined to just raise my eyebrows and change the subject.

"I don't have to live with people to think they deserve the basic human rights of safety, shelter, sustenance and opportunity. Do you only care about people you live with?"

I'm supportive of the RSPCA but my house isn't stuffed with old donkeys. Supportive means wanting the structures and support in place to look after people, and paying taxes to do so.

This is closer to my thinking.
I don't have room to move anyone in as I have a young family.

But does that mean I can't support genuine asylum seekers being here?

This is lovely, thank you.
Now, am I brave enough to stir the pot?

" none at the moment ,but who knows what the future holds"

The obvious counter would be

"Just as long as you don't have to provide it"

😐

Why don’t you just be honest and say you don’t know them from Adam and don’t want an unchecked single male living in your spare room.

I don’t want to pay for them. That’s the point. If you want to pay for them, you do that.

Great response.

I ask them how many British homeless people and/or veterans they have living with them. Seeing as these are the groups they tend to think should be front of the queue for state support.

(and of course, I don't disagree that they do need and deserve support).

But does that mean I can't support genuine asylum seekers being here?

What do you do to actually support them?

Whatever it is, that should be your answer.

It's not just about putting them up in your home.

All men come from a culture that hates women. It's called the patriarchy.

Unless you think British men don't rape, abuse and kill women. They do. I think it's two a week for dead women.

"Surely you're not comparing refugees to animals!"

"Animals can't live in a house, but a homeless young man, who is vulnerable just needs a place to sleep. A couch would be fine".

"Won't you offer at least that"?

"There are services to meet those needs, and it's part of a functioning society that we have those tax-funded services and skilled professionals to support vulnerable people. I'm happy to pay tax and support that social contract. If you let me know what area of the country your man is in, I'll find the relevant services for you to call..."

I’d say “None, because the responsibility for housing them belongs to the local authority in which they reside, so there’s no need for me to volunteer” …

Who did your Father rape?

Who did your Grandfather rape?

Who did your Brother rape?

Or did you mean not all men?

I support the NHS too but I don't want a queue of people having hip replacements on my dining room table.

It's such a weird argument

So on that point, you’ll tell them to access HMRC website to pay additional tax beyond which they might already pay. So the rest of us don’t have to pay the additional tax.