Media request - people living in Britain without papers

[dlknowles]

Hello,

I'm writing an article for The Economist about illegal and irregular migration in Britain, and the likely effect of the government's new immigration bill.

I'm really hoping to speak to somebody who is living in Britain having overstayed a visa, or having been refused asylum, and going through the hell of endless appeals, etc. I will change names or quote you anonymously - this is just for my knowledge.

I'm hoping to get a sense of how somebody ends up living here without proper papers. Also what life is like registering at the Home Office every month, not being able to work legally, finding it difficult to open bank accounts/rent flats/etc, and how it all works. I'm also interested in how the system works in practice.

I appreciate there may be few people on this forum who are in this situation, but if anyone is, and is willing to speak to me. As I say, anonymously is fine. Please contact me on danielknowles@economist.com, and we can set up a phone call or something.

Cheers,

Daniel

Britain correspondent
The Economist