A group of residents in Ealing that helps and supports asylum seekers and refugees in the borough has said that families are being moved on from their current places where they are staying, often with just minutes to pack up their bags to go to another part of the country.
EASE is concerned at the number of times the Home Office is moving people which is disrupting their lives. The group says that those impacted have little information about where they are being sent to and often it is being done with little notice.
On Wednesday (19 October 2022), the group tweeted: “Families are being moved on Monday. Again. Children pulled out of schools, expecting mothers due to give birth this week, vulnerable children on care plans, people due hospital scans and medical treatment next week, will have no notice about where they’re going.”
One supporter of refugees, @RdgukSam tweeted: “Hate short notice moves like this. Often with little rhyme or reason. Re-traumatising and causing great harm to children.”
@narrowboatlucy commented: “It’s so inhumane. It took us most of a year to get all our kids into local schools. When will it ever improve?”
As well as individuals, a number of schools in Ealing including John Perryn Primary School, Ark Acton Academy and Ark Soane Academy where children are studying say they want the children to stay.
Leah Wright, Headteacher of John Perryn Primary School: tweeted: “Five moves/ fives schools in 14 months. They are desperate. The children are settled and happy with us but I’m being told they are now up at night crying as they have to move yet again – all too far away to come here. This is inhumane.”
Ealing Central and Acton MP, Dr Rupa Huq visited the asylum seekers and refugees yesterday (20 October 2022).
She said: “Very disturbing scenes for families ripped out of communities with pending medical appointments they’ve waited for ages for, school disruption in one case being split up. All have experienced multiple moves. Will be looking into this.”
Local campaigner Sara Nathan explained more in a tweet: “Thanks to @RupaHuq for coming to our @EASEealing drop-in. So hard when our families are being dispersed, kids removed from school, to some hotel in Kent by @readyhomes. Our community stepped up with suitcases. Some have only minutes to pack.”
