Motion #01
Need for the Policy
The chapter in PSS entitled Migration (MG) sets out the humane immigration rules a Green Party in government will implement. However, this dates largely from 1990, with a very few light revisions, and needs updating.
Conference passed an enabling motion in Spring 2019 enabling this Policy Working Group to rewrite this chapter and that on Refugees & Asylum (RA). The rewrite of the RA chapter was approved by the Autumn 2022 conference and is now published here. We are now asking members for comments on this rewritten Migration (MG) chapter.
To delete from the Migration chapter in PSS everything from MG 100 to MG 454, and substitute the motion text below.
MG100 The Green Party wants to see a world without borders, until this happens the Green Party will implement a fair and humane system of managed immigration where people can move if they wish to do so.
MG101 The Green Party believes that migration is not a criminal offence under any circumstances.
MG102 The Green Party will treat all migrants fairly and humanely and without discrimination.
MG103 The Green Party is opposed to forced migration and forced repatriation.
MG104 The Green Party desires to ensure the history of empire and colonialism is taught properly in all schools, and in particular how immigration policies have been used to increase the wealth and well-being of the UK at the expense of less wealthy countries.
MG200 The Green Party seeks to establish a system that recognises that all migrants are citizens in waiting and therefore supports and encourages them to put down roots in their new home.
MG201 The Green Party accepts we all have a collective responsibility for the climate emergency and that the UK has a duty to support people forced to move due to the changes in their home environment, whether internally or from abroad.
MG300 The functions of the Home Office will be divided between a Department of the Interior and a Department of Migration, which, among other duties, will handle all visa applications.
MG301 All visas can be applied for in country
MG302 All fees charged for visas will be at cost and not for profit.
MG303 The visa application process will be simplified to remove the need for legal advice in the majority of circumstances.
MG304 Physical visas will be offered in addition to digital documents
MG305 Minimum income requirements will be removed from visa applications as well as any benefits from having a higher income.
MG306 Language requirements will be removed from visa resident applications. Language requirements will be present for Settled Status applications with exceptions on medical and age grounds. Free language classes will be made available.
MG307 A Green Party led Government would will ensure that sufficient staff and resources are available to effect these policies
MG308 The Department of Migration will be responsible for giving free advice and support when a person’s visa is due to expire to help them make the next steps.
MG309 Unless standard exclusions apply, no person will be held in detention because of their immigration status.
MG310 Visa applications from specific individuals may be rejected on grounds of public safety. These grounds are restricted to serious crime and threats to national security.
MG400 All arrivals to the UK without a visa will be granted a visitor visa for a period of three months regardless of where they have come from unless standard exclusions apply. They will then have this period of time to apply for a different visa if they so wish.
MG401 Visitors will not have access to welfare benefits or Universal Basic Income.
MG402 Visitors will have access to the NHS for urgent and medically necessary procedures only.
MG500 For the purposes of this policy, visa residents are defined as migrants who are not yet British Citizens and who hold student, work or family visas.
MG501 All visa residents will have the right to vote in elections and referenda
MG502 Access to the NHS will be free and comprehensive for all visa residents.
MG503 Any No Recourse to Public Funds conditions will be abolished and visa residents will have access to welfare benefits or Universal Basic Income.
MG504 All Visa Residents will be able to apply for settled status after five years.
MG505 Students with an offer of a place from a recognised education institution will automatically receive a visa to study unless standard exclusions apply
MG506 Residents on student visas will be permitted to stay for three years after their studies are completed to look for work.
MG507 Workers with a confirmed contract of employment satisfying UK employment laws will automatically receive a visa to work unless standard exclusions apply.
MG508 Residents on work visas can apply for different jobs, or if made redundant have six months to look for work automatically as part of their visa conditions.
MG509 Visa residents will have the right to bring members of their family to the UK who would normally live with them in their country of origin, or would do so if it were permitted by law or custom.
MG600 Residents with settled status are no longer subject to immigration rules.
MG601 Residents with settled status have the same access to benefits, student finance, and the NHS as British Citizens.
MG602 Children of residents with settled status will have access to student finance for their higher education and will not be liable for international fees.
MG603 Any resident with settled status can apply for citizenship if they wish to do so.
MG701 All children born in the UK are automatically British Citizens.
MG702 A Green Party led Government will commit to tackling statelessness and will ensure that once citizenship is granted it cannot be removed.
MG703 Dual citizenship is permitted.
MG700 Undocumented migrants will be given free advice and support to help them to regularise their status without penalty for being undocumented.
MG701 Undocumented migrants who have been in the UK for over five years will be invited to apply for settled status unless the standard exclusions apply,
MG800 We will encourage periods of temporary residence in the UK and abroad, particularly by young people, to promote intercultural awareness..
MG801 The Green Party will recognise the contribution of migrants and their descendants to the UK by making the 1st Monday on or after 22nd June, Windrush Day, a public holiday.