Considering making an Asylum Claim in UK - What Can I Expect

[aseeker]

Hi,

I'm hoping for some advice, preferably from a legal professional, or somebody with first hand experience.

I am currently within the UK. My circumstances are desperate. I am considering making an asylum claim.

I have read official websites, but it does not answer my specific concerns.

I am wondering what I can expect in terms of my actual personal experience,were I to do this, and how long it would take. I presume there are various stages.

Would I be given immediate accommodation, how long could I expect this for and what would conditions be like ?

Any suggestions of the best place to claim asylum? Both in terms of the actual place I make my claim ( port or police station or somewhere like Lunar House ). And in terms of any areas in the UK with consideration to local facilities.

The longer I am in the system with nothing much happening, the better as far as I am concerned. Preferably my claim would take as long as possible. My priority is accommodation and food. After that, I don't care.

I would welcome any suggestions or directions to information.

[Casa]

This may help to answer your accommodation/food question:
www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN01909.pdf

[aseeker]

Hi,

Thanks!

[aseeker]

Hi,

Thanks for that. I read the document and I also followed the links. Very helpful.

OK, so as I understand it, I present myself somewhere and state I wish to claim asylum.

I will be subject to a Screening Interview, which will be pretty general. (A more in depth interview will follow later and an appointment will be given for that.) In the Screening Interview I give general information such as my name, country of origin, family circumstances, religion, occupation, how I got into the UK, why I cannot go back to my country of origin because of persecution.

During the interview I state that I am destitute and have no means of supporting myself.

Once the screening interview is completed, I will be fingerprinted and photographed. I will then be given a Biometric Residence Permit. This gives me accomodation, access to the NHS and a small weekly cash allowance to be collected from a post office.

Is my understanding correct ?

How does the accomodation actually happen. Will I be given immediate accomodation, probably temporary, or taken to a detention centre.

[uchida]

Hi aseeker,
The first Interview is to assess your claim. If you have no accommodation, you will be immediately moved to a temporary accommodation after which you'll apply for income support. There is a caveat that if your claim is without merit you will be moved to detention centre for removal. The process is stated clearly in a process map that will be given to you in the pack sent to you after you call the dedicated helpline, to express your wish to claim asylum. An appointment date will be given to you, to attend the initial assessment at Lunar house. This is a whole day event. Your biometrics will be taken, and an ID card will be issued to you (this is not a residence permit) you will then be contacted via the post for the date of the REAL interview. This interview will be held at a HO office nearest to your region. You should get a decision within a month of the interview.
This whole process usually takes less than 2 months, from beginning to end. The initial assessment interview takes less than 30 minutes, but you will have to wait around for a while to get your biometrics taken etc.
Hope this helps.

[aseeker]

Hi

Thanks so much for your help.

Do I absolutely need to make an appointment? How would they arrange it, given that I have nowhere I could receive post.

What if I just present myself at a police station, or "airside" at one of the airports, or at a seaport, or just queue up at Lunar House before it opens.

The immediate move to accommodation sounds good. Although temporary, would you be moved around much, or will it be the same place while your application is considered. Is there much "trouble" where you would be sent for accommodation. I don't mind where in the country it is, I just wonder whether I need to sleep with one eye open. Regarding the income support, will I need to do that for myself, or will I be assisted by the government or some charity people? For the second interview, will they assist financially to attend?

Do I need to be cautious about what possessions are upon me when I present myself for asylum, attend the short interview, or the long interview. Would any possessions upon my person or in my bag be examined and cause questions? Will I be searched? If I have a phone, would it be taken from me and any history on it examined ? Would anything be confiscated?

I plan on being truthful with simple factual answers, but I am not going to elaborate where possible, as it might pose more questions than it answers. So I won't say too much. However, it's possible that in my time in the UK, I have left some traces. If I don't reveal them, if they then came to light, would that be problematic. As I am going to attend with no identifying documents, what if I simply just give an assumed name with my story ?

After 2 months could I expect to be given more permanent accomodation and state benefits.

My claim would have merit. I can't envisage being deported. However, regarding the detention centre, if I got a "bad cop" would they send me to one just to be spiteful? I know of freinds of friends from Somalia and Zim that were kept in such places a long time as they could not be deported.

After 2 months could I expect to be given more permanent accommodation and state benefits. How long before I could get full British benefits. If I have access to the NHS,would it be only emergency, or could I seek assistance with non-urgent issues which up till now I have not been able to have address. Dentistry for example. How long before I would be allowed to work?

Thanks for any more help.

[noajthan]

Some other cases, for example:
https://www.freemovement.org.uk/jesus-i ... ed-asylum/
&
https://www.freemovement.org.uk/falling ... um-claims/

[aseeker]

Hi,

My circumstances are this. I need breathing space in difficult personal circumstances. But in this breathing space period, I and family need accommodation and living.

My wife can make other representations. She can claim I abandoned her, then as single mother with dependent children, she should have no problem. Hopefully, due to family size, social housing from local authority.

Technically, I can claim asylum. Because of current political situation, it is virtually impossible I could be deported. My reason to claim asylum at this time would be to security so as not to end up homeless. Only issue would be if I was sent to detention centre. If I make claim and am dispersed, no problem, it is temporary, I have phone, I know the country, I cannot imagine it will be that difficult to survive. I can use to time to catch up on books I have always been meaning to read. At some point I could drop application, once wife is in secure situation.

We were well advised some time back and took advantage to Irish Born Child, pre law change. Even after the law change know some cases went to European court and were successful where non EU had Irish Born Child but lived in United Kingdom so precedents and rulings have been set. We have that to fall back on.

I am just wondering if anybody would recommend asylum claim as solution to short term living problem. And as before, do I need to be careful what I keep on my person, or giving too much information that is not nessasary ?

Thanks for any help!

[Wanderer]

Hi,

My circumstances are this. I need breathing space in difficult personal circumstances. But in this breathing space period, I and family need accommodation and living.

My wife can make other representations. She can claim I abandoned her, then as single mother with dependent children, she should have no problem. Hopefully, due to family size, social housing from local authority.

Technically, I can claim asylum. Because of current political situation, it is virtually impossible I could be deported. My reason to claim asylum at this time would be to security so as not to end up homeless. Only issue would be if I was sent to detention centre. If I make claim and am dispersed, no problem, it is temporary, I have phone, I know the country, I cannot imagine it will be that difficult to survive. I can use to time to catch up on books I have always been meaning to read. At some point I could drop application, once wife is in secure situation.

We were well advised some time back and took advantage to Irish Born Child, pre law change. Even after the law change know some cases went to European court and were successful where non EU had Irish Born Child but lived in United Kingdom so precedents and rulings have been set. We have that to fall back on.

I am just wondering if anybody would recommend asylum claim as solution to short term living problem. And as before, do I need to be careful what I keep on my person, or giving too much information that is not nessasary ?

Thanks for any help!

I'm finding all this slightly disturbing.

[noajthan]

Hi,

My circumstances are this. I need breathing space in difficult personal circumstances. But in this breathing space period, I and family need accommodation and living.

My wife ...
...

Technically, I can claim asylum. Because of current political situation, it is virtually impossible I could be deported. My reason to claim asylum at this time would be to security so as not to end up homeless. Only issue would be if I was sent to detention centre. If I make claim and am dispersed, no problem, it is temporary, I have phone, I know the country, I cannot imagine it will be that difficult to survive. I can use to time to catch up on books I have always been meaning to read. At some point I could drop application, once wife is in secure situation.

...

I am just wondering if anybody would recommend asylum claim as solution to short term living problem. And as before, do I need to be careful what I keep on my person, or giving too much information that is not nessasary ?

Thanks for any help!

This appears to be a potential gross misuse of the 'asylum system'.
It does not appear to be a misunderstanding as you appear well-versed in various case law & precedents (Irish Born Child & etc).

If you have a 'short term living problem' asylum seems inappropriate as it is not designed for economic migrants.
The accommodation on offer is unlikely to be salubrious in any case.

Gaming the system is plain unfair to any deserving & genuine asylum seekers (& long-suffering UK tax payers).

As for your wife, misrepresenting or suppressing material facts in any dealings with government agencies will out you in the end. Government databases (even in the hands of bungling, underpaid & overworked jobsworths) will catch you out in the end due to the crosschecking and anti-fraud measures in place these days.

My wife can make other representations. She can claim I abandoned her, then as single mother with dependent children, she should have no problem. Hopefully, due to family size, social housing from local authority.

In the meantime. to address a 'short term living problem' suggest you look in this direction:
http://www.housing-rights.info/people-w ... titute.php

[aseeker]

Please,

I appreciate your help, but I do not appreciate the assumptions of "gross misuse".

Firstly, I have never applied for asylum, but I have a legal right and I have legitimate reason. I have same rights as everybody else. I said I CONSIDERING, so I have not abused asylum system. I wish I could say the same about the vast majority of people I know, am acquainted with or have met in London who have ILR. Please. I struggle to think of significant number I could name with honest, genuine fear. Many go "home" for holidays! In London, if I had problem with local group or rival tribe or political opponents or domestic violence, a trip to the other end of tube line would be enough. If really big problem, move to Birmingham Yet people have problem and have to move all the way to UK? Sorry, you know, I know. Problem in Abuja? Move to Lagos, no more problem. Husband will find another wife to beat. Gang will find another political opponent. Please.

In my time in UK, I have not been drain on public purse. We have been self sufficient. I cannot say that about most I know. Everybody has "game" or "angle". Shame to say big number of family and freinds take, simply because they can.

We had Irish Born Child as insurance. We have never used this. Unlike the many Nigerians in Ireland who have exploited it to the maximum. When the Irish finally wised up and started refusing asylum, what happened? Suddenly, many found love, always with a lonely fertile native, and bingo IBC and PIBC

But never mind there, look at UK. Immigration is one of the UK's biggest businessess. Worth BILLIONS. Asylum accomodation would not be salubrious? And who will own it? Indian or Pakistani property people, making profit from misery.

If I attempt to get help in London as single man homeless, what hope you think I have? Look at the homeless. Virtually all natives, or Poles, or eastern European. Ever seen a homeless Somali ? Interesting fact about Somalis in UK. Nearly 90% of Somalis in social housing or rent being paid by system. 75% of women claim to be single mothers. Yet they have 4.1 children. Not married. Having children. But are strict Muslims. Is somebody having joke here ? Where do the babies come from? Mail order catalogue?

Another interesting statistic. 70% of British born Pakistani ( and Bangladeshi ) have spouse born in homeland. No abuse of immigration system. No, just pure co-incidence.

Brits spend so much on Somali, Pakis, Bangladeshis, that they neglect their own. If I go as homeless, I will be left to sleep on street. Apply for asylum, sounds like I will have bed that night.

Please don't say I abuse anything. Just look at Student visas, Highly Skilled, spouse. How much abuse is around your eyes. And accuse me? Please

[vinny]

It's more difficult if you didn't promptly claim asylum when you initially arrived in the UK.

To cut a long story short, what you can expect from the UKVI, is .... disbelief.

[aseeker]

Hi,

Thanks again for your help, for which I am grateful.

I arrived in UK legally.

At the time, asylum was not a consideration, and not sure what way any decision would have gone.

Subsequently, my status became irregular.

But having no problems, I did not need to be concerned.

However, given recent history and political situation, at the present time, an asylum application would be extremely strong.

My case would be that I arrived legally, my status then became irregular, and now, I have extremely good reason why I cannot return.

Please can anyone help on my questions regarding possessions. Are these checked, examined, or confiscasted or would any of this be breach of my human rights. I want to be low maintainance candidate and not draw attention to myself.

Thank You.

[uchida]

Hi,
I have read and contributed to your post, but I must say that you have been given all the information you need to make a decision. If you need any further information about the runnings/ processes of the UK asylum system, why not call the Asylum Screening Unit and put those questions to them. Call them on 02081964524, Monday to Thursday 9 am to 4:45 pm, Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm.

Like Wanderer stated earlier...your post is rather disturbing. Good luck with everything.

[bappenadim]

hi frnds, let me describe my case
1.i was a student here since august,2009 till 2016
2.in June, 2013,i bought my wife here as a general visitor.
3. in November,2013 we have problems at back home and my wife was pregnant,so i applied through FLRO (exceptional further leave) before her visa finished.
4.in January,2014 she was refused by home office with appeal right.(in that refusal letter, home office suggested her to apply for asylum)
5.in February,2014 we appealed and won that ,judge said that decision was not according to the law and the decision remains outstanding until secretary of state issue a lawful decision.
6.in July,2014 my son was born and we havent heard anything from home office.
7.in October,2014,we all (i,my wife and son) applied for asylum.
8.on 30th April,2015 i have done my main interview at Birmingham.
9. 3rd of may,2015 we all received bio-metric enrollment letter and done it at the post office.
and so on i am waiting for my asylum decision ,its been about an year .
could anyone tell me why its being late and what could be the out come?
please response me,i am totally depressed now a day.

[aseeker]

Hi Bappenadim

What happened between

" 7.in October,2014,we all (i,my wife and son) applied for asylum.

" 8.on 30th April,2015 i have done my main interview at Birmingham.

" 9. 3rd of may,2015 we all received bio-metric enrollment letter and done it at the post office "

Did you have to change your domestic circumstances in any way ?

Did you have to move place of residence.

Once you applied for asylum, did this change anything regarding costs of your accomdation or benefits toward payment of rent etcetera ?

Thank you

[bappenadim]

Hi,i have appealed for my asylum refusal on paper hearing. My appeal was lodged on 15th January 2016.can anyone tell me how long does it take to get me the respondent bundle from Home office?
thanks