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?

Oh FFS it's not a zero sum game, it is perfectly possible for people to come to the UK for a better quality of life than they would otherwise enjoy AND to contribute to the UK. The idea that if their life is better here then they must be 'taking' something is the thought process of the simpleton.

Having said that, in a way I would like all the people that the knuckle-draggers want to 'go home' to leave the country, because I suspect only then will they realise just how dependant the UK has been on immigration to keep the plates spinning. You can bet one thing though - when the economy and many public services did collapse, the people whanging on about immigration won't be the ones who get off their arses to sort out the problems they've caused, they'll just continue to blame their declining standard of living on another convenient minority group. And there will always be a charismatic shyster like Nigel Farage encouraging them to do so.

My parents moved here first as low-skilled workers. I followed to study and, after earning multiple degrees, have built a career in the biotechnology field. Although I had planned to head back, I met a man, and that changed my plans.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that immigrants contribute significantly to the welfare of the country through any legal job or profession. You disagree?

I'm afraid you are part of the problem OP is talking about.

I’m disgusted at the flourishing of the racist right wing, we’re going backwards. The media coverage inflames the issue. I heard the Green Party have as many seats as Reform, yet they’re not given the same airspace and coverage. I’m embarrassed to be British with this anti immigrant, racist dialogue now associated with our flag.

OP you are very welcome here. I’m sad that a vocal minority are making you feel uncomfortable.

People who come here as adults and start working immediately (as I did) have had all their schooling and healthcare in their country of birth - and so go straight into paying tax and contributing

That is such an excellent point, pointy, something I hadn't thought of.

You nailed it

that’s how racists also rationalise their thinking too

It took me a while to apply for citizenship and I thought it would make no difference, just a paper but it has actually deepened my connection to the UK, even with my shitty accent, I m British now, nobody can kick me out, so why would I care if an idiot decided to have a go at me because I m not British-born … which has never ever happened to me or anyone I know in the 12y I have been here I must say

And people are mostly angry at the rise of migration in the last 5y, and the massive cultural differences arising from importing people from other continents than Europe, not really at the European migrants who have been here ages imho

Importing people from other continents than Europe

I’ve been in the UK for 20 years and definitely more wary. The other day I had gone on a walk and came across a security guard who said hello, asked how my day was etc. Just a chatty guy, who was patrolling who parked on a private estate by the beach. He then proceeded to ask if I’m British (to which I responded yes - I do have a British passport amongst my two birth ones) and he went on to tell me how immigrants fuck up this country and others. I consider myself lucky that I don't look any different to what these people perceive British people to look like, otherwise I think I’d be very concerned to go out these days. (This wasn’t in any city but a small village).

Good immigrant= European.
Bad immigrant= Others from dark continents.

Why did Brexshit happen, then?

Probably would if they posted on a public forum asking for opinions.

You would stop them from leaving the UK if they had the skills you deem important?

I’m so sorry you feel like this.

My ds is British. Me and his father are British.

He wasn’t born in Britain.

He’s has people tell him to do back to where he was born. Some people are cunts.

No obviously I wouldn’t. But isn’t it considered a ‘bad’ thing when our doctors leave to go to say Australia?
I just think that possibly it’s not fair if say we poach health care workers from abroad. Don’t people in other countries need their help?

I am sorry to break it to you but “foreigners” are not a single homogeneous group
That you deny the existence of cultural diversity in the name of multiculturalism is a weird one, which is why it’s not really working

OP did you come over 2000-2010 time? You must’ve experienced a lot of xenophobia at that time, British people weren’t welcoming back then IME. The rhetoric was the same then- the poles coming over taking all the trades jobs, polish supermarkets everywhere, polish beer cans all over the floor. 20 years on when the Eastern European diaspora are fully integrated and second generation The Brits have transferred their hate to another group.

my parents were Irish immigrants and it was the same in the 50s too.

not trying to make you feel worse but the xenophobia has always been open

Right. Everybody not from Europe is not a homogenous group either.
Not all brown people are the same.

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.

I think that many of those who voted for Brexit did not expect the result that came about, felt that by voting for it and therefore the result not being a massive Remain vote, they in a sense were making a free protest.

I agree with you that for many people there are 'good' and 'bad' migrants. There has been much more racism towards people of Pakistani heritage than of Indian heritage, it seems to me.

I hear you.
I also no longer feel safe.
The funniest (saddest?) thing is it's the yobs that make me feel unsafe. People who have done nothing but scrounge and be thuggish and antisocial all their lives. All those "protests" are full of mainly yobs.

Is this a serious comment? Should all non white British people be asking themselves whether they are giving or taking something from the UK and make an evaluation as to whether they should be here?

I am non British, moved here as a young child, went to school here (private education - no “taking” from the system) and work, paying top rate tax, and have done for several decades.

Should I be asking myself whether my skills would be better used in my country of birth? Can I use the NHS? Should I draw a pension? Could I be disadvantaging a British person somehow?

How utterly ridiculous. My point is, these nice clean lines between who should be here and who shouldn’t, who is an asset, who is a drain - these lines can’t be drawn.

What are the exact skills a person should have to allow them to move to another country?
Or do you feel that people born in the UK should never live anywhere else?

@Ihavetoask blimey- that is breathtakingly racist. You do know that plenty of peole who are third and fourth generarion British born and longer "worship a different god" or wear religious symbols like a hijab or kippah?

My maternal Jewish ancestors came here in the nineteeth century and my paternal huguenot ancestors a lot longer back.

Farage is this you?

I'm not the OP, just in similar circumstances.

I was about to, in 2016, but when Brexit started happening I decided I'm not paying over £1,000 for the citizenship. You also have to study for the test, and I was not willing to do that anymore given the climate.