Refugees - Catherine West

Home Office removing people to Bibby Stockholm: read my urgent letter

I’m very concerned to hear the Home Office are removing people from my constituency to Bibby Stockholm with just minutes to pack their belongings. This shows complete disregard to their own procedures as well as an utter lack of compassion for the impact on vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers. I…

My comments on Home Secretary’s Washington speech

Today’s comments from the Home Secretary are shameful, divisive scapegoating, using vulnerable people to stoke a culture war at a time when far-right activity is already on the rise. Haringey has a proud history of welcoming refugees, including LGBT+ people fleeing persecution, torture and imprisonment. It is desperate and dangerous…

My statement on the Conservatives’ cruel Illegal Migration Bill

When there are no safe routes, people will make dangerous journeys. The government knows this. They know the Migration Bill they have announced is unworkable, most likely illegal and demonises some of the most vulnerable people fleeing torture, war, or oppression. To do this at any time is shameful. To…

The Home Office – shameful abandonment of child refugees

It is absolutely shocking to read that unaccompanied minors are disappearing from hotels run by the Home Office and are being trafficked across the country. According to whistle-blowers and child protection sources, children are being abducted off the street outside the hotel and bundled into cars. They say: “Children are…

Statement on removal of refugees to Napier Barracks

I was alerted yesterday to the news that at least seven people, currently living in my constituency, have been issued with letters from the Home Office alerting them to a move to Napier Barracks. This is alarming news and has understandably caused huge distress. I immediately wrote to the Immigration…

Government can’t let Homes for Ukraine become Homeless for Ukraine

UK families signed up in their thousands to house Ukrainian refugees, with over 400 host families in Haringey alone. Their initial commitment was for six months. As that reaches an end, I’ve met with host families in Hornsey & Wood Green and urged the Government to produce a follow-on plan…

#StopRwanda – my message of support for day of action

“The Tory plans to “offshore” often vulnerable refugees to Rwanda are unethical, unworkable and a staggering waste of money. As the challenge to the policy of offshore detention goes back to the courts (Monday 5 September), I send my support and solidarity to those protesting the shameful treatment of refugees…

Deportation flight to Jamaica

My constituents have been in touch about the upcoming returns flight to Jamaica on Wednesday 18th May 2022. Many of those on the flight will have arrived as children and have been educated and raised here, and may have been excluded from citizenship by extortionate fees. That’s why I have…

Rwanda Plan

Thank you to all my constituents who have written to me with deep concerns over the Government’s plans to send those seeking asylum in the UK to offshore detention facilities in Rwanda. Let me be clear – these proposals are unethical, unworkable and a staggering waste of money. “Offshoring”, as…

Haringey stands with Ukraine: how you can help

So many constituents have asked how they can help Ukrainians in desperate need following the Russian invasion. The Mayor of London’s office has collated a list of organisations helping on the ground who urgently need support. You can read the list here. They have advised that the best way to help…