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?

Xenophobia always spikes when people feel under pressure. In this case from inflation, crumbling services and really high housing costs. Then you've got bloody Farage and social media whipping up a sense of helplessness by implying we have no control over our own borders and the whole of Africa is about to move here to live off state benefits (that last bit is sarcasm).

For those who are here, contributing to the UK; thank you. I am sorry you are experiencing this, especially as it's more about our homegrown problems than anything you’ve done. We would be up a certain creek without a paddle, without you.

In the long run, I do think we need a commonsense and compassionate reform of the UN Refugee Act. It was created in the aftermath of World War II and the drafters never envisaged a situation where people would die in deserts and drown in the Mediterranean to find a new place to live. Instead, we need to financially and practically support refuge cities close to conflict which people can easily get to, and return from, once the conflict is over. It stops the host countries from being overwhelmed (Lebanon and Turkey comes to mind), kills the people smuggling routes, stops the impression that refugees are gaming the system, and gives women, children and people with disabilities a chance at a safer life. It also stops the conflict country from bring hollowed out. Couple that with decent visa routes that allow ambitious people who want to move here, the chance to do so with dignity and fairness. The UK should be proud of the people who chose to make their home here.

I used the term "cringingly grateful" btw. It's interesting how poor reading comprehension here is.

I am not going to tug my forelock and self-flagellate over taking a job away from a British person. Nope. I am grateful in a sense, but the opinions expressed on this thread make me not want to go out of my way to kiss the ring, so to speak.

Paying tax in a country is the bare minimum of contributing btw. Its nothing to write home about in terms of positive impact

You're stuck in the neoliberal western "country as economic zone" post-national view, which is now failing and falling into chaos everywhere

Do you have any idea how stupidly expensive it is?

I’m so sorry you have this experience. It is not acceptable. all countries round the work have people of different nationalities, religions, cultures and experiences and that is what makes the world a better more rounded place but sadly creates divides. I am from north of the border and encountered bigotry due to religion and as an adult I love to travel to see different perspectives and welcome the diversity in the uk. I celebrated Hindu celebrations this week in the uk and enjoyed it. I wish you all well.

Strictly speaking British nationality is not a right. ILR is. In law, nobody has a strict right to obtain a British passport,

Most of these laws could change tomorrow with a motivated government. If there was no ECHR then getting any status in the UK would be just on what the government decided. Legally I would say not having a British passport is to live on sand.

All things are open and liberal until they are not. The UK has just had a liberal policy for 30 plus years. That looks to be ending whatever government we have. Reform will remove laws relating to equalities and discrimination which would take us back to around the mid 1990s. No one should think this stuff is forever unless you vote for parties that say they will keep it.

The way some people behave towards others just because they have a darker skin colour is disgusting. But they go abroad and want brown skin and get takeaways from Indians Chinese Turkish Greek and Italian businesses. I know white European immigrants nobody treats them with disdain.

I also know a family of Asylum Seekers from Myanmar formerly Burma. There isn’t much in the media about the country. Some assume it’s a safe country. But there has been an ongoing civil war there for years. they have put up with so much abuse and rascist graffiti on their accommodation. They are desperately trying to integrate. The husband and daughter are fluent in English. The wife knows basic English but she’s learning. They can’t work but are desperate to. They all volunteer in the community even the teenage daughter.

Good, that's the goal: British people (in fact, all Europeans) have consistently backed lower immigration for decades. Less takers is a win.

What would you like me to do? I speak English to native level, take nothing from the state, and have friends from all races. I don't only socialise with people from my own country. Oh, and I volunteer. Is there anything more I can do?

Have you not heard of Scotland?

@RedMaker 74.4% of the UK identifies as White British and it will be a lot higher than that outside of major urban areas.

I am not sure the "indigenous population" will be in the minority any time soon.

Also I am not sure what is meant by indigenous British anyway - we are an island formed by waves of migration. I am white British but my ancestry on both sides is not British (Askenazi Jewish and French Huguenot). Mr Monkey is white and was born here but is Irish. Is he "indigenous British"?

This person is clueless. She thinks waving british passport will save someone with a foreign accent from xenophobic attacks.

No, actually, Britain hasn't been. There are xenophobic elements but by and large, Britain has been hugely accepting of different races and cultures (not just recently but for many centuries - after all, how many European countries have had a Jewish Prime Minister?). More so than a number of our European neighbours.

For you to declare that Britain is largely xenophobic is very wrong and extremely insulting - and you should be embarrassed to make such a statement.

Racism is always alive and well. Racists just need a new excuse to justify it and be vocal about it. I’m not an immigrant but I’m Jewish and I’ve been the target of racism on almost a daily basis lately. It’s exhausting and demoralising. I’ve started being outspoken at times, I often call people out to their face which stops them in their tracks. I can’t educate people, I know that, but I can say: did you mean to make a racist comment to me? And things like that. I’m so sorry it’s come to this, you deserve better. But it’s not going away so you need to find your voice and stand up to them in a way that makes you feel more secure and confident.

Exactly. I even learn a few words of the local language when going on holiday so I can be polite in shops etc.

According to census data, over 1 million adults in the UK can’t speak English - either none or to an inadequate level). That involves huge costs to them NHS, police and court system for interpreters.

The NHS is spending approx £40 million per year (I looked it up for the non believers) on interpreters. That’s worth quite a few new doctors or nurses.

Immigrants aren’t going to integrate if they can’t speak the language. There are reports of many kids at school being the only English speaker in their family, that being a long term situation, not a question of time for learning.

As a country we offer immigrants free English lessons (and driving lessons etc but that’s another issue) so it’s not about resource.

I really think you have a very poor grasp of economics. I didn't say takers are fleeing to the UAE. They wouldn't be allowed. Tax-payers are fleeing, of all kinds.
If it's your goal to have British tax-payers fleeing, then ok.

I agree with this.

The racists argue that a non-white person can't be British.

But to some of them I'm not British enough either, even though I'm white, because one set of great grandparents and their children came here as refugees (on a small boat!). Unless you can trace your ancestry as 100% British for centuries you don't count - a minority view, admittedly, but one that has either gained more supporters or the people who believe it are shouting louder online.

Yes I have to agree with that. If you are dealing with a real racist they don’t care about your contribution, your presentation, standard of English, how many generations you have been here etc. You have the wrong skin colour. Thats it.

The paperwork being completed for a passport is not going to cut it.

As long as you dont have british accent you will be an unwelcome outsider who needs to go back “home” in those peoples eyes.

As a third generation, there is definitely an uneasy feeling, but I wouldn’t say it’s exclusively an English only problem- I and many friends have experienced xenophobia in many Eastern European countries openly. And adding to the narrative to Create this idea of a ‘good’ immigrant just adds fuel to the fire IMHO. There is definitely a problem - cost of living, public services, housing issues- and the blame for these lies in many things and not one.

Your post would be funny if it wasn't so depressing so see people display such racist ignorance throughout this thread.

There is a very long history of people from Britain migrating all over the world and not making any effort to learn local languages or respect local cultures and traditions, but instead forcing everyone too speak/ read/ write English.

Many of the yobs going on about 'stopping the boats' and 'illegal immigrants' now (and/or voting for Brexit a few years back) are exactly the same folk who will go on holiday (or even more hypocritically, migrate themselves) to places like Spain and then complain about the Spanish population's habits (or speaking Spanish, and eating traditional Spanish foods). No attempt to 'integrate', understand, 'fit in' by them....

Definitely hang on to your EU passport! I wouldn't give it up if I had one - we're effectively prisoners in this bloody country after the self-inflicted wound of Brexit