Provide legal services to asylum seekers in Wales

Aim

Help us raise £6000 to provide specialist legal advice and representation to asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants in Wales

For many, holidays are a time to be with loved ones at home. However, for many people seeking asylum in the UK, they will be spending this Christmas separated from family, and fearful of what the future holds. Help us raise £6000 to ensure they can access essential legal advice and representation at Asylum Justice.

Preventing destitution and homelessness

When someone has their asylum claim refused – they will often end up homeless and destitute with no alternatives. Even though someone may be refused asylum – months or even years later they may be granted protection. This isn’t a rare occurrence, across the UK in 2020 44% of asylum appeals were won after an initial refusal. 

In Asylum Justice our tiny team won 64% of the appeals we represented in 2020.

Where it is possible to secure leave to remain for asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants, it is a critical first step in reducing and preventing poverty and exclusion as it provides the opportunity for people to work, study and access state support. For many, it’s the moment when they feel they can finally start thinking of the UK as their home.

Being with loved ones

However, for many granted protection – they still are separated from their family. Initial journeys to the UK are difficult and challenging – meaning many families take the hard decision to send one or two people ahead. Once granted status that family member can make an application for family reunion. 

To make these applications – refugees need a lawyer to represent them. In the UK family reunion applications are 'out of scope' of legal aid, which means refugees have to save up to pay privately (if they can) or remain separated from their loved ones for indefinite periods of time.

In Wales, luckily, Asylum Justice exists to support refugees to complete these applications for free. Where we succeed in reuniting families with their loved ones – who are often stranded in refugee camps or war zones – it means the family can finally settle, recover, and integrate together into their new community. 

Help us to grow

Asylum Justice has grown significantly since 2014 to try to meet the demand placed on our service by those who cannot access a legal aid lawyer. However, the need for our service outstrips our capacity to provide our service as soon as possible to all those who need to access it. 

In 2020, we made 134 different representations and applications on behalf of asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants compared to 90 in the previous year.

Growing our organisation is key to our future sustainability – so we are here in years to come for those who need us. 

Donate to us this December to help make sure asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants can also be together with their families to celebrate the holidays.

Card Designs

We have a limited number of greeting *cards available* if you want to make a donation on behalf of a loved one this Christmas. Or however else you choose to use it! 

*Please note we will only post cards within the UK*

‘Be The Change’ By Raman Mostafanajed. Designed whilst waiting for his asylum claim to be processed at Penally Military Barracks. Raman is an Iranian Kurd who speaks 5 languages and is keen to add Welsh to the list!

A Symbolic Sunset’ By Osam Ghaleb. Turned upside down, this symbolises Osam’s journey from the hell of Yemen, across the desert of Jordan, through the mountains of Turkey and into Europe beyond. We now have the opportunity to benefit from Osam’s nursing skills in Wales.

‘If I Could Melt all the Weapons I’d make Musical Instruments to Make People Happy!’ By Xabat Ka A multi talented Iranian Kurd that has now been given refugee status.

"The kinda Climate Change we want to see" - Anna Waters.  When the UK Government decided to send asylum seekers to Penally Military Barracks in Penally - a decision that has rightly now been reversed - Anna worked with the people sent there on a fantastic arts project. This is one of her own designs she has generously donated to help with our Christmas Fundraiser. 

This project successfully funded on 23rd December 2021