LOCAL councils have said they will not comply with “cruel” home office plans to deport migrants who are forced to sleep rough, warning the new policy will “play into the hands” of human traffickers.
The Home Office now considers rough sleeping a basis for refusal or cancellation of permission to stay in the country.
The new rules came into force on December 1 and mean non-UK nationals could now face deportation, threatening migrants and asylum seekers who have no recourse to public funds and are legally unable to receive state support.
Over 100 councils, charities and lawyers have written to the Home Secretary Priti Patel warning the changes could have “severe” consequences for modern slavery victims and people who are homeless.
Haringey Council is among the local authorities saying it wouldn’t “collaborate” with the Home Office.
Councillor Emine Ibrahim, Haringey Council’s cabinet member for housing and estate renewal, said: “We absolutely oppose the Home Office’s change to the immigration rules – we feel it’s discriminatory.
“Now more than ever it is vital that as leaders, and as communities, we do all we can in our power to protect the most vulnerable. If people are sleeping rough we should be offering help – not making people fear that they will be refused permission to stay in the country.
“Many people sleeping rough have been exploited and faced unbelievable personal challenges. As a council we work tirelessly to help those sleeping rough get off the streets and to find safety and stability”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “… The new provision will be used sparingly and only where individuals refuse to engage with the range of support available and engage in persistent anti-social behaviour.
“We remain committed to ending rough sleeping for good and have been working hard to ensure the most vulnerable in our society have access to safe accommodation. This year alone, we have provided over £700 million in funding to support rough sleepers…”