to be surprised by how many people are anti-immigration?

[Mimstar]

I was called naive today. Apparently 'if you aren't concerned by immigration, you've got your head in wonderland'.

And I thought - actually, I know hardly anybody else who isn't anti-immigration.

I'm trying to understand this attitude, it seems so common nowadays. Maybe I do have my head in wonderland.

I'm so tired of hearing 'job stealers!' type comments.

chibi, I'm really sorry to hear of your experience. I've always been made welcome as a citizen of other countries and actually I find it a bit sickening that you have been made to feel this way.

"in reality i live in a country where UKBA stop people in the street and demand to see your papers (if you don't have them with you, you can end up arrested, even though carrying id is not a legal requirement for any resident of the uk) and where government vans drive round with GO HOME written on the side."

Which country is that?

chibi I am so sorry. No vans where I am, and I'm a white EU national so I have very few problems - I've even been approached by UKIP, that was hilarious...

But the undercurrent of loathing is strong and getting stronger, and it makes me said. BelleJolie has said it all anyway - I was born and educated abroad and started working as soon as I came here, so the UK is getting a bloody good deal out of me. Yes, I have children - who will do very well in school and become hard-working tax paying residents of the UK.

It's all too depressing for words.

LRD, I don't think it is true. A lot of immigrants provide these services through their employment and have accessed them less over the course of a life-time than British-born people. Their children would, of course access these services, but they are British by birth so no different to any other child born in this country.

chibi and some of the posters on this thread are suffering from empathy bypass.

Actually I love the UK - it's why I chose to live here. I've always felt I was born in the wrong country - the way I express myself, my personality and my love of language all mean that I am much better suited here than in Holland. The vast majority of people I meet are warm, welcoming and tolerant, and appreciate people for what they are instead of labelling them based on tabloid headlines.

Although it shocks and surprises me that people are randomly stopped on the street by UKBA (is that UK Border Agency?) you obviously have had this exoerience may i ask where in the UK are you.

Similarly, where are these Government vans with GO HOME please? I have never seen them.

BelleJolie the right to automatic citizenship through being born in the UK ended in 1983. My DDs are dual US/Dutch citizens.

our education and health services are suffering because of cuts being constantly made by the government.
I do not have a problem with people who immigrate, work had pay their taxes and contribute to society. all the immigrants I have met have been like this. it's not an easy choice for most. I worked with one lady who had to leave her family behind while she worked had to get enough money to set up a home for them and prove she could provide for them. it's something I know I could not do. it was heart breaking for her, but she knew her family would be safer and have a better life when she got them here.
immigration is not a black and white situation and immigrants who have gone through a lot to get their families here and work hard contributing should be treated and respected just the same as anyone not as second class citizen's, but unfortunately that's not the case.

TSSDNCOP I would imagine chibi is in London or another large city. This stopping and demanding ID has been in the news lately, I am neither shocked nor surprised - and there is clear racial profiling going on too.

Thanks belle. I don't think it's true either, btw, I am responding to people saying it as if it were an established fact. I'd like to know stats but maybe there aren't any.

I am pretty sure that you do not have to engage or co-operate with UKBA if they stop you in the street. They do not have police powers

The 'GO HOME' vans were a huge news story a bit ago.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23632096

Here is a story on the UKBA stopping and searching suspected illegal immigrants. As pointy said, there was clear racial profiling. And the tweeting on the official Home Office account about it afterwards was simply grotesque.

They weren't GO HOME vans, though, were they?

They were mobile billboards pointing out that if you were here ILLEGALLY, you should go home, or face arrest.

What's wrong with that ?

Those most concerned about immigration generally know the least about it. Funny that. But it says in the paper that theres too many if Them, so it must be true, they think.

Sorry, pointy, I stand corrected on the citizenship aspect.

And the papers are , of course, the Sun or the Mail.

Read by all those stoopid people. When will they ever learn, eh.

LRD, I know what you meant but wanted to add my voice to your point too.

I've just returned to the Uk after a spell in France. It seems terribly overcrowded compared with how it used to be and we're planning to build on first-rate agricultural land. I'm not convinced that it's such a good idea.

things - what's wrong with it? Erm ... it's shitty and horrible and xenophobic, is what's wrong with it. Not so very welcoming, really.

belle - oh, good!

" it's shitty and horrible and xenophobic, is what's wrong with it"

In your opinion. Not mine.

And unluckily enough for the Guardian reading classes, my opinion still counts as much as yours.

I never said it didn't? Why are you being so aggressive about this?

You seem to have a real chip on your shoulder about newspapers, Things. What gives?

You'd think so. But no.