Migrant communities: pathway to citizenship
We are calling on the next Government to make the pathway to UK citizenship:
Timely.
Affordable.
Fair.
We cannot end homelessness, poverty, inequality and mental suffering without fixing the UK’s current pathway to citizenship.
It can take decades and cost tens of thousands of pounds for people who have put down roots in the UK to become British citizens – with hundreds of thousands of families going destitute and children being exploited. For years people in our communities are blocked from working, without access to safety nets, and become unwell from the constant stress and anxiety.
This is a crisis which everyone should be talking about. We must fix the pathway to citizenship, making it timely, affordable and fair.
We all have a right to better pathways that allow us to feel human – to be a citizen of the country we call home. As I have been through the process and lived the experience, it has made me more aware of how distant and worthless you feel waiting for an opportunity to be part of a community. All our situations and stories are different, but the pain, heartache and uncertainty are the same. All we want is a chance to be beneficial to society and use our skills.
Amanda, South London Citizens
@citizensuk We need to reset this conversation #SkyDebate #BattleForNumber10 #migration #ElectionDebate #LeadersDebate #ukelection #ukpolitics #BBCDebate #ukimmigration #citizenship #campaigning ♬ Sad Scene BGM Piano Instrument(313618) - HomeMadeGarbage
Why are we campaigning?
We all want to feel at home and connected to our community. Hundreds of thousands of people have put down roots in the UK. Their heart and home is here. But with the current system stacked against people on the pathway to citizenship, many fall through the cracks and cannot access even the basic means to survive.
Being a citizen of your home country means more than just having your identity officially recognised. Citizenship is about building community, participating in society and strengthening democracy.
Unlocking the pathway to citizenship by making it timely, affordable and fair would change countless lives, enable communities and democracy flourish, and help us tackle wider issues of prejudice and inequality - like racism, homelessness, child poverty, domestic violence and more.
What are we campaigning for?
We are calling on the government to help people become British citizens by making the process timely, affordable and fair.
People who have put down roots in the UK want to progress their lives, stay connected with their community and put their talents to good use; there’s no reason not to make this possible.
Changes such as shortening the time it takes to become a citizen, giving people better access to legal advice, reducing fees and minimising red tape will help more people at home in the UK become British citizens.
I came to the UK nearly 20 years ago to build a better life for my daughter. The UK is my home
but I’m not yet a citizen. Millions of people like me are blocked and struggling to survive when
all we want is to be recognised as British citizens, contribute to society and build our lives.
Mary
How are people in our communities affected?
Across our communities are thousands of family members, neighbours, and friends who have put down roots in the UK.
But despite being born here, living in the UK for decades or building a life here, people are blocked from gaining citizenship by a system so confusing, lengthy and expensive that many are left fearful, isolated, stuck in limbo and at risk of destitution.
This includes young people unable to study; workers unable to access jobs that pay enough to survive and cover expensive citizenship costs; parents unable to access welfare payments for their children and many more.
We all want to learn lessons from the pain that was inflicted upon the Windrush Generation - people who put down roots in the UK for over 40 years and enriched their communities, but then had jobs, homes, healthcare and dreams taken away. Improving the current pathway to citizenship is one way we could begin to remedy this troubling legacy.
I'm a mom of three. I've been in the UK for the past nine years. I've been able to get by with help from a community organisation, where I can share my ideas and help other parents. But I want to work. I want to work so that I can add meaning to my life and give my children a better future. I'm really inspired to learn and work and contribute to this community.
Abigail
Discover each of our campaigns
Every child should benefit
A campaign launched in 2023 calling for every child living in the UK to be able to receive child benefits, no matter where their parents were born.
Settle Our Status
We believe that we should care for our neighbours, wherever they were born and whatever their immigration status. We are calling for 'settled status’ for all who call the UK home.
Children into citizens
No child should be priced out of citizenship. This is the campaign to reduce child citizenship fees.
News
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In Parliament: Community leaders launch report on improving the Pathway to Citizenship and new cross-party Citizenship NetworkOn 20 November, community leaders across Citizens UK chapters launched a new report 'From Rooted to Recognised: Unblocking the Pathway to Citizenship' in Parliament.
Read more -
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Launching the Every Child Should Benefit Campaign outside ParliamentOn 6 June, 130 primary school pupils, teachers, parents, students, and leaders from Citizens UK gathered in Victoria Tower Gardens to launch a new campaign demanding that every child in the UK receives Child Benefit, no matter where their parents were born.
Read more