Category Archives for Asylum

Odette is back with us in Sheffield!

Odette is back with us in Sheffield!

A determined community campaign has suceeeded in supporting Odette Sefuko and getting her released from Yarls Wood detention centre.   Odette Sefuko, Congolese campaigner against sexual violence, was detained by the UK Border Agency, who…
“Sleepless Nights” as G4S Asylum Housing Contract Falls Apart

“Sleepless Nights” as G4S Asylum Housing Contract Falls Apart

At a recent G4S Asylum Housing “Roadshow” event in Leeds, G4S Director Steven Small was eager to reassure his critical audience that he’d suffered “sleepless nights” over the disastrous G4S COMPASS asylum housing contract. Were…
Wide Support for Inquiry into G4S Asylum Contracts

Wide Support for Inquiry into G4S Asylum Contracts

SYMAAG and the Yorkshire-plus No to G4S group have found wide support for an inquiry into G4S’ contracts for housing, transport and initial accommodation in what it calls the “asylum markets”.    We are calling…
Serco/UKBA Try to Starve Odette into Submission

Serco/UKBA Try to Starve Odette into Submission

Latest News: 14/3/13 Despite a court ruling that the Home Office have not handled Odette’s asylum claim properly (they ordered a judicial review of her case) she is still imprisoned at Yarls Wood detention centre.…
G4S “Roadshow” a Write-Off

G4S “Roadshow” a Write-Off

  Latest News: The last night of any tour is usually the climactic highpoint. Not this one: A request to attend the Newcastle “Roadshow” scheduled for March 28th brought this response from the office of G4S…
Latest (vague) UKBA “Concessions” to Syrian nationals in UK

Latest (vague) UKBA “Concessions” to Syrian nationals in UK

Latest Vague Statement from UK Government regarding Syrian nationals in the UK 28/2/13 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm130228/wmstext/130228m0001.htm#13022844000004 Home Department Immigration Concession for Syrian Nationals The Minister for Immigration (Mr Mark Harper): I am today announcing the renewal of…
Leeds Council Order G4S to Review All Asylum Housing

Leeds Council Order G4S to Review All Asylum Housing

A campaign led by two women asylum seekers has prompted Leeds City Council to take action against G4S. After visiting some of the squalid properties which G4S had tried to house people in, senior council officials ordered G4S…
G4S Break Asylum Housing Contract: Investigate G4S!

G4S Break Asylum Housing Contract: Investigate G4S!

  Once again, private security company G4S, has failed to meet its obligations to fulfill a contract paid for by public money. This time it’s the COMPASS contract to re-house people seeking asylum in Yorkshire and…
When SYMAAG met Nick

When SYMAAG met Nick

Just before the last general election SYMAAG sent an “Asylum Election Pledge” letter to all candidates in South Yorkshire. The letter was backed by 30 refugee community organisations, campaign groups, faith groups and trade union…
“It’s Kill or Be Killed” – Refugees and the Syrian Uprising: SYMAAG meeting

“It’s Kill or Be Killed” – Refugees and the Syrian Uprising: SYMAAG meeting

We were pleased to welcome two refugees from Syria to our last meeting on Tuesday 30th October who gave us an update on events in Syria. One was a long-standing refugee in Sheffield and the…