Theres no place like home

Theres no place like homeExploring and understanding:Who are asylum seekers?Why do asylum seekers come to the UK?What do we mean by refugee?Do not oppress a foreigner Exodus 23:9

What do you already know?Spend two minutes sharing your ideas with a neighbour:What do we mean by an asylum seeker?What is the difference between a refugee and an illegal immigrant?

Match the term with the definition:Asylum seeker

Refugee

Illegal immigrant

Economic migrant

European migrantMoves to another country to find workIs allowed to stay in another country because they have proved they would be persecuted at homeCan work in another country in the European Economic Areais in another country without legal permissionHas fled their homeland and needs sanctuary

Match the term with the definition:Asylum seeker

Refugee

Illegal immigrant

Economic migrant

European migrantHas fled their homeland and needs sanctuaryIs allowed to stay in another country because they have proved they would be persecuted at homeis in another country without legal permissionMoves to another country to find workCan work in another country in the European Economic Area

True or false?Britain is particularly popular for asylum seekers because it is easy to get inAsylum seekers get more benefits than pensionersAsylum seekers jump the queue for housesMany asylum seekers come to the UK for benefitsAsylum seekers are detained whilst their cases are reviewedThe UK is swarming with refugeesTrue or false?Britain is particularly popular for asylum seekers because it is easy to get in: FALSEAsylum seekers get more benefits than pensioners: FALSEAsylum seekers jump the queue for houses: FALSEMany asylum seekers come to the UK for benefits: FALSEAsylum seekers are detained whilst their cases are reviewed: TRUEThe UK is swarming with refugees: FALSEAsylum seekers steal our Jobs: FALSEAll information and hyperlinks to source documents can be found at http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy_research/the_truth_about_asylum/facts_about_asylum_-_page_17Britain is particularly popular for asylum seekers because it is easy to get in: FALSE

It is a very complex systemMany people are rejectedThe Home Offices initial decisions are overturned in 26% of appealsThere were 19,804 asylum applications to the UK in 2011. This the second lowest level in 10 years.Asylum seekers get more benefits than pensioners: FALSE

This accusation has been found in a viral protest that has cropped up on social media sites and on email. The original has been in circulation in different countries (including Australia and Canada) since 2007Asylum seekers i.e. persons awaiting a decision on an asylum application are not entitled to any mainstream non-contributory social security benefits such as income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit. Instead, they may be eligible for accommodation and/or financial support from the UK Border Agency.Cash support for asylum seekers is less generous than social security benefits; for example, a single person aged 18 or over currently receives 36.62 a week, a lone parent receives 43.94 a week and a couple 72.52 a week

Asylum seekers jump the queue for houses: FALSE

Asylum seekers do not jump the queue for council housing and they cannot choose where they live. The accommodation allocated to them is not paid for by the local council. It is allocated by UK Border Agency. It is nearly always hard to let properties, where other people do not want to live. Many asylum seekers come to the UK for benefits: FALSE

In fact, most know nothing about welfare benefits before they arrive and had no expectation that they would receive financial support.The only thing in my mind was to be safe. I didnt make any choice to leave my country.(Democratic Republic of Congo, male, 35-44)Asylum seekers are detained whilst their cases are reviewed: TRUE

Detention can be a few weeks, months or even years if the case isnt resolved. Children are detained with their parents, often with severe consequences. Asylum seekers steal our jobsAsylum seekers are not allowed to work!Actually, if their claim is refused (and 20% are because of paperwork errors), they have nowhere to live, no money to live onnothing.They are called destitute.The Destitution Trap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0-3lMOB4ioThe UK is swarming with refugees: FALSE

The UK hosts between 2 and 3% of the worlds refugees and asylum seekers less than Pakistan, Syria, Iran and GermanyIn 2009 the government were supporting around 50,000 asylum seekers 0.08% of the population

ActivityNow you know the difference between the myths and the truth, design a poster to raise awareness about refugees and asylum seekers. You can use the information in the booklets/on the sheetsThe posters will be put up around schoolCheck your understanding:Can you define: asylum seeker; refugee; illegal immigrant; economic migrant; european migrant.

Can you counter some of the myths told about asylum seekers?