After encountering hostility and verbal abuse, asylum seekers in Newquay, Cornwall have expressed regret for coming to the United Kingdom. Chris, not his real name, fled his home country due to family violence based on his sexual orientation in November 2022 and was granted a visa to enter the United Kingdom.
The Home Office has contracted a number of hotels in Devon and Cornwall to house asylum seekers while their claims are being processed, but the government has deemed this policy “unacceptable.” In February, the presence of asylum seekers in Newquay sparked a protest, which was countered by a demonstration supporting their rights.
Chris reported that he and other male asylum seekers have been verbally abused and are suffering from boredom and uncertainty. He asked, “Why am I fleeing the bad in order to enter the bad?” I should be moving from the negative to the positive. It feels like one of the worst choices I’ve ever made. I should have stayed there… instead of coming here and enduring all of this torment.”
Incorrect claims circulated on social media that a hotel resident had been charged with rape, leading to speculation that “women and children in the town are at risk of being attacked by asylum seekers residing at the hotel.” Ch. Supt. Ben Deer of the Devon and Cornwall Police stated that social media and disinformation were influencing attitudes regarding the use of the Newquay hotel.
The Newquay Refugee Support Group’s Linzi Hanscomb stated that the Home Office must improve its communication and provide “certainty” regarding their situation. The Home Office spokesman stated that housing asylum seekers in hotels is unacceptable, but officials are working to reduce hotel use.
After experiencing hostility and verbal abuse, an asylum seeker in Newquay expressed regret over his decision to enter the United Kingdom. Chris, who is homosexual, fled his native nation due to family violence based on his sexual orientation. He was granted a visa to enter the United Kingdom in November 2022.
The Home Office has contracted a number of hotels in Devon and Cornwall to house asylum seekers while their claims are being processed, but the government has deemed this policy “unacceptable.” This sparked a protest in February, which was met by a counter-protest supporting their rights.
Chris reported that he and other male asylum seekers have been subjected to verbal abuse and are suffering from boredom and anxiety while awaiting the outcome of their asylum claims. He asked, “Why am I fleeing the bad in order to enter the bad?” I should be moving from the negative to the positive. It feels like one of the worst choices I’ve ever made. I should have stayed there… instead of coming here and enduring all of this torment.”
Incorrect claims circulated on social media that a hotel resident had been charged with rape, leading to speculation that “women and children in the town are at risk of being attacked by asylum seekers residing at the hotel.” Ch. Supt. Ben Deer of the Devon and Cornwall Police stated that social media and disinformation were influencing attitudes regarding the use of the Newquay hotel.
The Newquay Refugee Support Group’s Linzi Hanscomb stated that the Home Office must improve its communication and provide “certainty” regarding their situation. The Home Office has stated that they will continue to make every effort to reduce hotel use and limit the financial burden on taxpayers and local communities.
Since arriving in the United Kingdom, asylum seekers in Newquay have reported experiencing hostility and verbal abuse, prompting calls for improved communication from the Home Office and recognition of disinformation on social media. Chris stated that his decision to immigrate to the United Kingdom was one of his “worst decisions,” and many others are still awaiting word on their claims. The Home Office has pledged to reduce the use of hotels for asylum accommodation and to engage local authorities as soon as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation.
