Dear friends,
There are so many challenges facing refugees right now – from the violence we’ve witnessed at asylum hotels to hostile new laws targeting people crossing the channel. But one of the biggest problems is the asylum system itself. From the moment someone seeking sanctuary arrives in the UK, they face a system that is difficult to navigate, shaped by disbelief, and increasingly stacked against them.
The UK asylum system has become increasingly complex and punitive. With no safe routes for most, rising inadmissibility decisions, and the ongoing crisis in legal aid, many people seeking sanctuary are left in prolonged limbo. The system often seems designed to disbelieve, to delay, and to deny.
Being wrongly refused asylum is not the exception. It’s alarmingly common. The cost is immense: not only the pressure on the courts through appeals, but more importantly the human cost of years spent in destitution.
The theme for this year’s Jubilee of Migrants and Refugees – Migrants, missionaries of hope – reminds us that people forced to flee are not only survivors, but bearers of resilience and people hoping in renewal. Their stories, like Haris’ reflection on participation or Mimi’s powerful reminder “let this be known: I am still here”, challenge us to build a society that nurtures people’s gifts and recognises their humanity.
"Participation is collaborative: it’s about contributing to something greater than myself, creating a place where everybody can feel valued and included.”"
Haris
Take a peek inside...
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"We want more than just receiving"
Page 2
Franck Brou SJ is a young Jesuit scholastic from Ivory Coast. He reflects on how JRS can contribute to the protection of refugees.
From our kitchen: Zigni stew
Page 3
“This meal makes me feel like I’m home” – Meme, chef at the fortnightly social drop-in, shares her Zigni stew recipe with us.
Seeking safety in a complex system
Pages 4-5
An overview of the UK asylum process. Behind every stage is a unique, deeply human story of resilience, fear, and hope. No two journeys are the same.
Why are people wrongfully refused asylum?
Pages 6-7
Being refused asylum doesn’t mean someone isn’t in need of sanctuary. Why does this happen?
Migrants: Missionaries of hope
Page 8
Fran Murphy, Editor of Thinking Faith, calls on us to recognise that migrants and refugees are bearers of hope.
Walking with Hope this Jubilee year
Page 9
Fr Michael Holman SJ, Chair of the JRS UK Governance Committee, shares how the Jesuit mission of accompaniment and justice is lived out through JRS UK’s work – especially in this Jubilee year.
Locks at Both Ends
Page 10
Mimi shares a poem that expresses her experiences of living in a system that denies her sanctuary. She shares her frustration at being stuck in limbo, and asks us to see her.
A ray of hope
Pages 11
Haris shares a reflection on what participating in community means to him.
Write to your MP
Dear (name),
The UK has a proud tradition of offering sanctuary to people fleeing danger. Yet today, our asylum system is failing in that duty.
People who need protection are being wrongly refused, not because they are safe, but because the system is broken.
Unreasonably high standards of proof, poor decision-making, and a severe lack of legal support mean refugees are often denied safety or left in limbo for years. These are people who have sought sanctuary – yet they are punished instead of protected.
As my MP, I urge you to support an asylum system that offers justice and hope. Every person’s case must be assessed fairly and fully, with access to legal support and a genuine chance to rebuild their life in safety.
A fair system protects – not punishes.
Yours sincerely,
(Name & address)
Your voice matters. MPs are elected to represent you. When they hear from constituents, they listen. Write to your MP and call for a more just and compassionate system.
Tips:
Say why you care: Express concern for the treatment of people seeking asylum in the UK. If you’ve had some experience of this/know someone who has sought asylum, try and personalise your letter with your own words/experiences
Mention you’re a constituent: MPs are elected to represent their constituents. Including your postcode is helpful so they listen to your message
Ask for action: Ask your MP to support policies that uphold dignity, welcome, and protection. You can use some of the messages on the other page
Use your own words: Feel free to use the prompt provided, but using your own voice can make your message more authentic and memorable
Be clear and respectful: MPs are more likely to engage with messages that are polite and focussed. You don’t need to be an expert – just speak from the heart
Support people as they navigate the asylum system
Will you help people seeking sanctuary to access vital legal support?
JRS UK’s casework and advice service supports refugee friends to resolve their status.
My name is Nathaniel. I’m 29 years old, and I’m from Eritrea. I sought asylum in the UK back in 2012, when I was just 16.
I had to flee my home because I couldn’t freely practice my faith, and I needed to escape indefinite military conscription – where people are forced to serve for years without end, on poor wages, with no hope of release.
The problems began when the Home Office mistook my identity and nationality during the first asylum interview.
I was refused asylum four times. It took over a decade before I was finally recognised as a refugee this year, after years of destitution and isolation.
When I met JRS UK, they welcomed me with warmth and dignity. They were able to take my case on and represent me at my appeal. We won.
That’s why I’m asking you today: could you support JRS UK’s Legal Team and support other people like me?
