Immigrants but legal ones?

[Tiktakmam]

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?

The threads about young British trained medical staff finding it impossible to get a job here might enlighten you.

What’s the fair debate here? That someone is unwelcome regardless of what they do?

Bang on. I could write screeds on this but in short the huge wave of immigration in recent years (the vast majority of it legal), has been a symptom of an underlying cause - an ageing population wanting to maintain a high standard of living but without wanting to pay for it. The Tories in particular were willing to ride a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment while quietly letting in millions of legal immigrants because they knew full well that if they didn't the economic plates would stop spinning, and the older voters they rely on (and who in turn rely most heavily on public services like health that in turn rely on immigrants) would be the worst affected. For all the shite and magical thinking they are spouting from the sidelines now, Reform will face exactly the same reality should they come into power. Why anybody takes that rag-tag bunch of deviants seriously is beyond me, especially since its leading lights already promised the Earth once before with Brexit and the same people who fell for that load of mendacious bollocks are the ones moaning now.

This is what whipping up hatred against immigrants does.

https://www.reddit.com/r/aznidentity/comments/1n3ep3j/racist_graffiti_sprayed_on_dragon_house_york/

Every single person who supports Reform should be ashamed.

Well, actually the UK and Spain opened their borders when my country joined the EU. And they were mostly looking for low-skilled workers as they couldn’t fill those jobs.
Which was lucky for me I guess as I wouldn’t have had the guts to come here illegally like others did.

But it was wrong to allow anyone in without doing background checks etc and I totally understand why wo many voted the way they did during Brexit. A lot of criminals/people looking for benefits etc did arrive.

I also understand that a nation can say ‘enough is enough’ of welcoming everyone. You reach a number, you see your home town changing beyond recognition in a very short time, it will obviously create unease.

Reform. Literally the only thing they have to say is : Stop the boats!

Ok. And when you have done that, what about the rest of our problems? They will decimate the NHS, take an axe to benefits, and then scoot off to Dubai while blaming it all on boat people.

Your post makes no sense to me. You’re essentially saying that migrants who do ‘agricultural, healthcare and other low paid jobs’ but pay more tax than the average UK born person? On their low wages?

France also has almost 3x as much habitable areas than the UK.

I have an acquaintance who is really anti Reform and pro immigration
This is someone who doesn't work. Makes her living from being a landlady and goes on holidays three times a year. Lives in a posh, predominantly white town.
Then has the fucking gall to talk about broken Britain and the housing crisis

And she's not alone. They all vote Labour, though that party was never intended for them. These are the people who broke Labour.

1. This migration crisis is only going to get worse. Africa has the highest birth rate in the world, and the African population is going to double – right in the middle of climate meltdown.

I think for me that’s a huge point in my anti migration sentiment. Yes selfish and protectionist and I am not denying that. I was lucky to be born here.

And I see others commenting that the British think they are superior and better. No I don’t think most do. But they do know whether subconsciously or consciously that our island, our actual geography. Is superior. To even that of mainland Europe. We are incredibly lucky. And it’s sad it’s going to get really really tough out there. Likely in our lifetimes and certainly in my children’s . But we can’t save everyone. We can however save ourselves if we plan and move towards sustainability and self sufficiency on this island.

Labour leaders broke Labour, not their voters.

The thing is, we need to realise and accept that some people will never see us as “from here”. No matter what. So stop bloody trying to convince them.

“Are you even legal?” Yes I fucking am, and I’d be really concerned if I wasn’t considering I work in a school.

”As a foreigner what do you think about this ?” Don’t drag me into whatever this is.

”How come your English is so good?” Uhmm I went to school.

“insert rant about immigrants/immigration” turns to look at me “I don’t mean you of course!”. Then why even drag me in the conversation?

That’s just at work, from people that have known me for years. I won’t even go into some delightful interactions I’ve had with randoms.

It is what it is and it won’t change.

I'm sorry that this is your experience of the UK currently! Contrary to what a lot of the media would have you believe, there are millions of UK born citizens who are glad you are here and see you as just as much a person who belongs here, as anyone else. Unfortunately there is a bigger agenda at play here - one that seeks to claim more riches for the greedy 1% by increasing living costs at every turn and reduce spend on public services, particularly for the most vulnerable, all the while blaming migrants for it. I believe there could also be a push for digital ID involved - another way to grab power from the common man.
As I'm sure you always would, uphold your own personal values, stand tall and remember you have as much right as anyone to thrive in this county - and world!

What are you on about? Loads of people in my profession go and work in Asia, New Zealand and Australia and people from those countries come over here to work. Why should we stay put just to please people like you with your narrow view of life? Are those flag waving protestors fully contributing to the UK? They seem to have an awful lot of time on their hands for hardworking tax payers.

And this. Scum. Utter scum. Oh, no,sorry "concerned citizens".

news.sky.com/story/masked-men-among-those-attempting-to-enter-london-migrant-hotel-as-five-arrested-13421326

I'm sorry you have to put up with this shit. I just don't understand what is wrong with such people.

Legitimate scum

@FatCyclist Migrants on average pay a lot more tax than the average UK-born person. So we are disproportionately funding the exchequer, yet are treated like we're parasites.

Do you know why the authorities only ever speak in averages? Because it hides inconvenient truths. The accession countries that joined the EU in 2004 and again in 2007 have never paid their way and are far more likely to be on in work benefits so, no, migrants are not disproportionately funding the exchequer. Some are, but many more are net beneficiaries which is a far preferable term to parasites. By far the biggest numbers of EU citizens in Britain are people from those countries.

The thing is… these are not necessarily bad people. They’re pretty decent, normal people in the grand scheme of things. Some of them even consider me a friend.I get on well with all of them. They’ll cry on my shoulder when things are shit. They’ll ask me for help. Most of them acknowledge I’m brilliant at my job and how great I am. I’m just not… one of them(English), and I never will be.

This is why I’m currently getting mine and ds Irish passports sorted. Ds needs a way out.

There are 9 billion people in the world should they all be able to choose where they live?
If so I would like to live in Switzerland which is lovely, but what if 3 billion other people also want to live there? Clearly that would not be feasible, so should we have limits on the movement of people?
That’s not a question I can answer, but is it one we can discuss without immediately being called a bigot and racist?

No of course not. But should we be allowed to move to any country we want to?

If we find work there, it is legal for us to do so and we are the best qualified and experienced candidate for any job going - why not? I got all my jobs in the UK because I was the best. Should my employers have been forced to settle for less?

As it happens I do!
You cannot retire to a EU country unless you have the funds to support yourself. That seems reasonable to me, what do you think?