The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) has announced the launch of an advice line for undocumented migrants in London.
The free advice line is aimed at irregular migrants, which includes migrants who have overstayed their visas, those whose asylum applications have been refused and those cases where refugee status has been revoked.[1] Funded by the Trust for London, the JCWII advice line will be available in London, which is home to roughly 400,000 irregular and undocumented migrants. This new service will give irregular and undocumented migrants an opportunity to access legal resources as well as free and confidential advice. In the event that the JCWI cannot adequately advise an individual, he/she will be directed to affiliate organisations that specialise in a range of services including healthcare and housing.
In addition, information gathered from calls to the advice line will be used to inform JCWI’s advocacy work, provide more accurate information on the nature of the problem in order to address the needs of irregular migrants. Information gathered from the advice line will also be used for policy development purposes, and to build awareness among policymakers about the need for an regularisation scheme. The line will launch on Monday 27 February 2012, and will take calls, on 020 7553 7470 between 10am and 1pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Related links
JCWI blog: ‘JCWI Helpline for irregular migrants’
Download a flyer about the helpline here
“JCWI has announced the launch of an advice line for undocumented migrants in LONDON”. What about the hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants in other parts of the UK? I’ve seen them suffering, sleeping rough and living in appalling conditions. Among them there are children. These people have done no harm to anyone. They are here to work so that they can help support their families/kids back in their home countries. Their families have no idea in what impoverished circumstances these people are working and living in. With no access to Health Services, some of them are in really poor health (physically and psychologically). Compassion is part of what make us human. PLEASE REGULARISE ALL THOSE SUFFERING UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS! PLEASE HELP THEM!
“JCWI has announced the launch of an advice line for undocumented migrants in LONDON”. What about the hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants in other parts of the UK? I’ve seen them suffering, sleeping rough and living in appalling conditions. Among them there are children. These people have done no harm to anyone. They are here to work so that they can help support their families/kids back in their home countries. Their families have no idea in what impoverished circumstances these people are working and living in. With no access to Health Services, some of them are in really poor health (physically and psychologically). Compassion is part of what make us human. PLEASE REGULARISE ALL THOSE SUFFERING UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS! PLEASE HELP THEM!
Hi James,
Sorry for such a late response, I have been away on paternity leave for 3 weeks and have only just seen your comment.
We entirely agree with you, We have managed to secuire the funding for this advice line for undocumented migrants from a body called Trust for London, with a specific remit to provide advice for those in london. We are very much hoping that this project will be a big success and will become seen as a pilot for an advice line (and further proovisions) across the country.
Unfortunately presently we have neither the resources or the ability to provide advice further than the Capital – anyone who has a ‘meritous’ legal case to argue will be made an appointment for a face to face interview with one of our solicitors and therefore a geographical restriction comes into play.
Hello Guy
I have a question to ask. Is there any regularisation scheme planned for undocumented migrants in the near future?
If so please provide details. Thanks.