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?

So it doesn't matter why she came here, she shouldn't have come?

@Ihavetoask Also I work with a lot of immigrants from many different countries and backgrounds. All of them speak excellent English and generally are higher rate taxpayers.

But I assume you only mean that shit when talking about some immigrants don't you - for example one of our senior managers in a white Australian immigrant.

So follow the rules, integrate and pay tax, but you will still never be one of us!

We don't have enough tax payers in this country. A huge proportion of the young are out of work and claiming benefits. Our population is aging.
But hey,drive away and antagonise tax payers.

But unfortunately as always in any similar scenarios, all we see or hear are the small but vocal minority and the silent majority rarely speak out. And that's the problem. It's the same with a small minority that commit acts if terrorism in the name of faith, the silent majority always keep schtum. The same thing is happening now. We know it's only a small minority but in Epping for example where I live, initially barely any pro migration turned out. It took weeks of protests for them to finally turn up. All we saw here week after week was the anti brigade. It's all we see on the news. Perhaps if the silent majority stopped remaining silent people wouldn't be living in fear of what's happening.

Racists are breathtakingly racist. Your legality has nothing to do with whether or not they think you should be here or their problem with you. They don't care if your family have been in England (for example) for longer than theirs.

Im also an immigrant. Ive worked for 20 years in the nhs. I have volunteered, paid my taxes etc. A plumber who came to my house was complaining about immigrants. I told him should I go back to my home country? Seeing as I stole someones job working on a medical ward in the nhs. He looked astonished because I 'look English'. I told him I had settled status but assume he would want me to go back to where I am from? He didnt know what to say because he couldnt stereotype me as an 'immigrant'.

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.

I agree with @ladybirdsanchez this is far from a UK issue. Having lived in multiple countries I've seen similar almost everywhere. In one country I worked in relocation, when taking a client to a ministry dept and handing over a Dutch passport he was asked "where are you really from". The very UK centric attitude is also quite discriminatory to Brits who live outside the UK. There are a whole host of issues when not actually UK resident too and don't get me started on the need for recent UK work experience after returning from working all over the world.

You answered that with more grace than the question deserved.

I am from a country that is thought well of by the British, and I am white and fluent in English. We moved here for family reasons - DH is British. We both had good jobs lined up before making the move, and I have been a net contributor since arriving.

But none of this matters to the people who hold these narrow attitudes. I am cut a bit more slack than most because of my country of origin, but will always be an outsider. The only worse country I can think of at the moment is Japan, where groups of young men will chat up Western women at bars and then discuss their bodies crudely in Japanese in front of them.

Perhaps small island nations are particularly problematic?

Reform are cultivating a poisonous plant, but the seed was there.

I don't think like that but quite obviously, racists do. They make it quite clear. And I have actually seen this said against white people from other English speaking countries like Aus. in a particular field. Literally wondering why people from Aus, NZ and SA were being given senior roles over the Brits.

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?

It brings nothing but shame to the UK that you feel this way. This country has moved to a darker place in recent years.

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.

Quite.

Unfortunately, the racism is dripping from your post.

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.

The people who are banging on about migrants and national pride are the same people who go and live in Benidorm (ie migrate) then complain the locals speak Spanish.

Because when they hear the word immigrant they imagine someone who isnt white, who cant speak proper english, different religion. They dont realise that every day they go out immigrants are everywhere serving them in cafes/restaurants, answering the phone when they call dentist/doctor etc just everywhere, it shows how influenced they are by the media.

I work with a lot of people who are not white. And yet, lo and behold, they speak perfect English, have multiple STEM degrees, pay high tax and have private housing and healthcare. They deserve their jobs over Kevin with two A levels.

The idea that white people pay their way and brown or black people don't is just so deeply ignorant.

I think you might have misinterpreted that post.

As has been said a million and one times, the current concerns on the current uncontrolled immigration is just that. It affects every single person living here. We want everyone here to have a home, have a dentist, have a GP, have access to timely hospital care. This is not attainable whilst letting in thousands of people who we cannot accommodate. It’s not a race or colour issue. It’s a current immigration policy one. I wish people would see that.

I suppose that would depend on individual intent. How many of the thousands of mostly men coming over illegally on dinghies do you suppose are intent on working in the biotechnology field?