Happy New Year, everyone!

I hope you are back from the winter break with renewed energy for 2025.

We start the year with some exciting news. In this newsletter, you’ll get to meet the team and find out about the recruitment of two new positions. There is also an update from the Support Centre and a focus on community initiatives.

We don’t expect this year to be any easier than the last, but we know that with your support we can achieve a lot, and turn those New Year resolutions into positive change. Join us on that journey:
1. become a member
2. make a one off donation
3. follow us on insta
4. come find us on Bluesky, the alternative to X. 
…. and bring your friends along!

I love hearing from supporters. Please get in touch if there is anything you’d like to share or contribute to the next newsletter: [email protected]. Your feedback and input help ensure that this newsletter is informative and a helpful resource for you and members of the community.

In solidarity,
Anne

Join our team!

L2/L3 Immigration Adviser and Case Worker

We are looking for an experienced and qualified Immigration Advisor with a strong interest in migrant justice to lead our immigration casework, and make a tangible difference to the lives of migrants and refugees in Waltham Forest. Find out more about the role and how to apply on our website. 

The deadline to apply for the role is 12pm on Friday 24th January.
Interviews will take place in-person on Monday 3rd February.

The deadline to apply for the role is 12pm on Friday 24th January.
Interviews will take place in-person on Thursday 30 January.

WFMA News

Support Centre Update

A reminder that the e-Visa deadline has been postponed until, at least, 31st March 2025 and BRP’s that expired on 31st December 2024 have been extended to 31st March 2025. We will continue to update information as soon as we know more.

So far, we have helped 44 migrants with e-Visa or No Time Limit (NTL) applications – this applies to anyone who does not have a BRP or passport with a chip in it. This is likely to be just a fraction of people who actually need to transition to the digital system.

We’re only two weeks into the e-visa roll out and there are already many reports of passengers returning to the UK facing challenges – despite the Home Office having instructed border control to accept expired Residence Permits if the owner travels out of the UK and back before 31/03/2025. Concerns that the digital system presents hurdles that could impact individuals’ ability to prove their immigration status reliably are beginning to materialise. 

If you, or anyone you know needs an e-visa, please get in touch: [email protected] 

In November / December 2024, we had 114 contacts from 86 visitors, of which 47 were visiting for the first time.  The visitors were from 30 nationalities. This time the ratio of male to female visitors has swung back towards male visitors: males (56%) to females (44%) and most people who come to the centre for support with immigration issues:

WelcomeStow Social Fridays is back in full swing. This is a space where we come together to share a freshly cooked meal and take part in activities. Please share widely!

Meet the Team!

There are currently four of us working part-time alongside volunteers and trustees to take forward WFMA’s mission to support migrants across Waltham Forest:

Campaigns

We are excited to become a member of Citizens UK, a national organisation focused on community organising and working across a variety of issues, including migrant justice. Expect more updates soon on this strand of our work, including on the Free Bus Travel for people seeking asylum campaign. If you are interested in finding out more or being involved, please contact me: [email protected].

In the News

A report by the Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras found that more than 10,000 migrants died while trying to reach Spain in 2024. Victims were from 28 mostly African nations, though some came from as far away as Iraq and Pakistan. This is what the lack of safe routes means – people are forced to take huge risks that can cost them their lives.

We see replicated on a smaller scale en route to the UK, where the number of people making the dangerous journey across the Channel has increased. Note that every single person who has arrived on a small boat to the UK has been granted asylum. Yet, instead of exploring compassionate approaches to welcoming people seeking asylum, the Government’s response is to ‘smash the gangs’. But sounds bites never make good policy because they ignore the complex realities of people’s lives and fail to address the root causes.

Resources and Exhibitions

Last year, RAMFEL (Refugee and Migrant Forum Essex and London) won a landmark judicial review on Section 3C leave policy. The court found that the Home Office was acting unlawfully in its failure to provide proof of immigration status to thousands of migrants in the UK.Now, RAMFEL have produced this simple and very usefulguide on Section 3C Leave and Employer Responsibilities. 

‘A Pocket Full Of Plenty’ is a group show curated by Papillon Projects in support of Women for Refugee Women and explores themes of transmogrification, migration, agency, ritual, childhood, nature and personal intimacies. It’s on at Netil House in East London until 30th January 2025. 

‘All Our Stories: Migration and the Making of Britain‘ – is on at the Migration Museum, Lewisham Shopping Centre, London SE13 7HB until 29 March 2025 and is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 11am–5.30pm.