The Green Party welcomes Boris Johnson’s statement on the possibility of an earned amnesty for irregular migrants. Such a move is long overdue, would assist the economy and protect the most vulnerable.
The forced repatriation of the tens of thousands of irregular migrant workers is not only unfeasible it would squander the opportunities that such migrants represent. The Green Party wants to see a fair and prompt immigration policy where workers that are contributing to the economy can so legitimately without fear of legal repurcussions. The regularisation of these workers would allow them to pay taxes and protect them from illegal activity as well as helping uncover human trafficking.
Green London Assembly Member Darren Johnson, who put the Assembly motion that has led to this statement (see notes) stated;
"We need to look at ideas such as this, which would allow many thousands of people to pay taxes, escape from exploitation by criminal elements and contribute fully to society. At current deportation rates it would take 25 years to remove all current illegal migrants from the UK, people who could be contributing up to £1bn of increased tax receipts if their status was regularised. Boris Johnson is going to get a rough ride from many in his own party over his stance but he should be supported by progressives in taking this brave step."
Notes:
1. The full text of the motion on 8 October was as follows:
"This Assembly notes the election commitment given by the current Mayor and other leading contenders in support of a one-off, time-limited, earned regularisation of suitable irregular migrants, many of whom live and work in London, which would allow those who have been in the UK for many years to be admitted to a two-year pathway to citizenship.
"This Assembly now resolves to make representations to the UK Government in support of such a regularisation, and calls on the Mayor to join it in making these representations, including by commissioning supporting evidence regarding the impact on London from GLA Economics."
Proposed Darren Johnson
Seconded Jenny Jones
2. The motion received 12 votes in favour (Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green), 5 votes against (Conservative and BNP) and one abstention (Conservative).