Thia Malan
Running for a fairer immigration system in the UK
Fundraising for JCWI
Story
Running to support the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI)
A monthly running challenge to fundraise for JCWI. They help migrants who suffer as a result of the UK’s immigration system as well as advocate for building an immigration system that is based on humanity and sound evidence.
The story
During the pandemic of 2020, my family experienced separation after my husband’s spousal visa was refused. This happened due to a crude bureaucratic error. We got his visa issued after 26 weeks and intervention from the media.
This experience led us to discover more of the cruelty of the UK immigration system, how it racially discriminates and causes significant harm to people’s lives.
I have joined the support and campaign group Reunite Families UK and started a fundraising campaign for JCWI with Lauren Tormey. She writes brilliant blogs, laying bare the cruelty of the UK immigration system.
How the UK immigration system keeps families apart
The most significant obstacle that keeps families apart is the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR). The British partner must earn an annual income of £18,600 in order to sponsor a non-British spouse- an income which 40% of working Brits do not meet.
This income requirement is on top of crippling fees families must pay over a 5-year period (and in some cases 10) for spouses to gain permanent residency.
Why fundraise £12 700?
This is how much it currently costs to naturalise a non-British spouse on a 5 year-settlement route- from the first visa application all the way through to getting citizenship.
That’s averages to a whopping £200 per month for 6 years!!!! And fees continue to increase.
The rough cost breakdown is:
2 visa application fees: £3,000
5 years paying the Immigration Health Surcharge: £3,000
indefinite leave to remain application fee: £2,400
British citizenship application fee: £1,300
legal representation: £3,000
And yes, legal representation is advisable, even essential, for even the most straightforward applications.
£12,700 is a big fundraising goal. But consider this: to stay together, families must meet this cost or be forced apart.
Giving up is not an option when it comes to family immigration. Likewise, I am going to keep fundraising until I meet this goal.
Why a monthly running challenge?
Running has been many things for me over the years. It is part of my identity and it enriches my life with self-expression and connection. I'd like to reach out through my running to those who are adversely affected by the UK Immigration system.
This is why I have chosen to raise funds for and awareness of the vital work of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI).
About JCWI
JCWI is a charity that provides legal advice to migrants, and campaigns for a fairer immigration system. Their legal team fight for the rights of asylum-seekers, undocumented migrants and even people who’ve lived here their whole lives, but aren’t considered British. They get people off deportation flights, out of detention, back to their homes and families.
JCWI also campaigns to scrap the hostile environment, and inject a bit of humanity back into our system. They work with migrants, grassroots campaigners and politicians to push for change. This work is so important at a time like this, with migrants’ rights under ever greater attack.
- £10 could cover the cost of an asylum seeker’s public transport for an appeal hearing.
- £20 could contribute to the cost of running JCWI’s helpline for undocumented migrants – providing free legal advice to people who may have spent years too afraid to seek help due to the Hostile Environment
- £30 could help pay for a training session for grassroots activists on how to fight for change in Parliament.
Over the past few months we’ve seen the government push for new laws that could land people in prison just for seeking safety in this country. And we’ve seen the media continue to use migrants as scapegoats, stoking xenophobia and racism.
People who have come here to make it their home should be able to put down roots and thrive. Instead, too many are left without basic rights, and demonised by politicians and the media. It doesn’t have to be this way
I’m so grateful for any and all donations! And if you are not able to donate right now, please could you help me spread the word by sharing this page on social media or with friends or family? Together, we can do something amazing and help secure a fairer future for all of us!
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