Bishop's plea for UK's illegal immigrants
6:22am Wednesday 7th May 2008
A CATHOLIC Bishop has attacked the Government over a "shameful" and "unjust" failure to back a scheme which could lead to thousands of illegal immigrants being given permission to stay in the UK.
The Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, Bishop of Brentwood, called on Catholics to remain resolute and steadfast in supporting a policy of a one-off amnesty for long-term illegal immigrants in the country.
The proposals, put forward by the Strangers into Citizens campaign, would mean migrants who have lived and worked in the UK for four or more years would be granted a two-year work permit.
At the end of those two years, subject to employer and character references, they would be given leave to remain.
Bishop Thomas, whose diocese includes south Essex, told a special Mass at Westminster Cathedral: "For any Government to choose to do nothing about regularisation is irresponsible and leaves countless migrants vulnerable to exploitation and living in fear and in limbo.
"They cannot work, they cannot claim benefit, they cannot get public housing. I can only describe it as shameful and unjust.
"Because of our common humanity and faith we all have a duty to speak out wherever injustice is found."
The Bishop also said it was a scandal and totally unacceptable that large numbers of migrants were paid well below the minimum wage.
He said he found it shaming to read reports that hundreds of Zimbabwean refugees living in Britain were facing deportation, despite escalating violence from what many now consider to be an illegal and repressive regime.
He told the congregation: "If it is true that part of the present Government's come back is to get tough on immigration ... then we too must show that we remain resolute and steadfast in this regard."