Windrush
The "Windrush generation" refers to the Commonwealth citizens, particularly from the Caribbean, who arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1973.
Many who came as part of the Windrush Generation came to fill post-war labor shortages, and were legally entitled to stay and work permanently in the UK. The term “Windrush” comes from the ship, HMT Empire Windrush, which brought one of the first large groups of Caribbean migrants to the UK in 1948
The Windrush Scandal
The “Windrush scandal” refers to the mistreatment of members of the Windrush generation who were denied access to employment, healthcare, and other services, and in some cases, detained or deported, because they couldn’t prove their right to live in the UK. This happened despite their legal right to be in the UK
The Windrush case that started it all
Paulette Wilson arrived in the UK in 1968, went to primary and secondary school in Britain, raised her daughter, here and has helped to bring up her granddaughter.
For a while, she worked in the House of Commons restaurant overlooking the Thames, serving meals to MPs and parliamentary security staff.
Because she had never applied for a British passport and had no papers proving she had a right to be in the UK, she was classified as an illegal immigrant
In October 2017, Paulette was detained ahead of planned deportation.
Her family was able to contact the team at RMC, who quickly got into action, trying to make contact with the Home Office, and reached out to media contacts to bring attention to the case and try and prevent Paulette’s flight taking off and removing a woman with full right to be in the UK.
Amelia Gentleman picked up the story and along with the RMC team and the local MP were able to get Paulette released back to her family.
"I went to interview Paulette at her daughter’s flat – by this point she was homeless because she had lost access to benefits – and was astonished at the way she was being treated. Although her MP had intervened to get Paulette released, the Home Office was still telling her she was liable for deportation. She was devastated."
Update: July 2020 –
The Refugee and Migrant Centre is shocked and saddened to hear the news of Paulette Wilson’s death.
Paulette was supported by RMC when she was wrongly detained by the Home Office. Hearing Paulette speak intimately about her experience of detention powerfully brought home the terrible human costs of immigration enforcement. Paulette was thrust into the spotlight out of necessity due to the injustice of the hostile environment. She dutifully carried the fight for others from the Windrush generation and was instrumental in bringing about change.
Paulette was a wonderful and inspirational individual who was so full of life. Everyone at the Refugee and Migrant Centre in Wolverhampton has fond memories of Paulette, her smile and laughter. The profound sympathies and sincere condolences of all of RMC are with Paulette’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Gladstone
Gladstone Wilson 62, arrived in Britain in 1968, aged 12, to join his parents who were already here. His father was working as a head teacher in a primary school. He himself had worked for a long time as a security guard, latterly for a hospital in Wolverhampton.
Gladstone first came to RMCs Wolverhampton Office in August 2011 as he needed assistance to prove his status. Gladstone was stopped from working and his security guard licence was revoked. He was also sent a text by Capita, the Home Office’s immigration enforcement contractor, saying he needed to leave the country as soon as possible.
“The main pain was when I couldn’t go to my mum’s funeral. That was devastating, like going to hell and back”.
Unfortunately, he lost his first passport that he arrived on, and was unable to prove he had a right to be here and as a result was unable to travel to his mother’s funeral in 2014. Gladstone had to report to Solihull Immigration Centre regularly or face prosecution, this made him angry and he felt like a criminal.
In late 2016, with Gladstone still unsure of his status, our solicitor, Jim, was able to make some movement in the case and he was issued with papers that changed his status to “settled”.
“I want them to understand all the suffering I’ve been through. Every night I grieve over this. I can’t forget. It’s terrible the way I’ve been treated. There are not enough words to say how much I appreciate all the help from RMC”
Renford
In 2014, a routine request from his final employers to update paperwork revealed that Renford didn’t have a passport and had never naturalised in the UK. Renford was sacked. Unable to find new work without papers, he became depressed, and then homeless. Dudley Council said he was not eligible for emergency housing because he had no right to be in the country. Similarly, he has been told he cannot sign on for benefits.
Renford gathered together paperwork showing 35 years of National Insurance contributions, with the support of the RMC, but the Home Office has returned the application, requesting further evidence.
“It makes me so angry. I’ve always worked. I’m a grafter. I can’t explain how bad it makes me feel”.
Margaret O’Brien
Margaret O’Brien, 69, moved from Canada to Wolverhampton in 1971. She got married, had three children and worked for the local council for more than 25 years as a dinner lady, meals on wheels driver, lollipop lady, and cleaner.
A spinal injury a few years ago meant she had to give up her job, leading her to apply for benefits for the first time. In 2015, she was told her disability payments had been suspended because she was an illegal immigrant.
Margaret received a letter stating: “Home Office records indicate that you do not have permission to be in the UK. You should make arrangements to leave without delay.”
The letter informed her “of our intention to remove you from the UK to your country of nationality if you do not depart voluntarily. No further notice will be given”.
She was puzzled by the Home Office’s decision to target her.
“I did feel British. When I came to England, Canada was part of the Commonwealth. It was so simple. I went to the jobcentre, was issued with a national insurance and got a job. I was always in work”.
Her case worker at the RMC, Daniel, helped her to find an indefinite leave to remain stamp in her expired Canadian passport that instantly proved she was in the UK legally. She had never noticed it, or realised its significance, and was profoundly grateful for his help.
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