Strangers into Citizens Campaign

OUR CAMPAIGNS

Strangers into Citizens is a campaign by The Citizen Organising Foundation the country’s largest alliance of civic institutions for a pathway into citizenship for irregular migrants who have made new lives in the UK. We are calling on the Government to implement an “earned amnesty” as part of its overhaul of the UK’s immigration policy. Similar programmes have taken place in other European countries, like Spain, Italy, Greece and the Netherlands. We believe it is time now for the UK to do the same. The new US President, Barack Obama - as well as his Republican opponent John McCain – are also both strong supporters of earned amnesties. We propose that those who have been here for 4 or more years should be admitted to a 2-year pathway to full legal rights (“leave to remain”) during which they work legally and demonstrate their contribution to UK economy and society. After that 2-year period, subject to knowledge of English and employer and community references, they would be granted permanent leave to remain.

Communities Acting

Together for Change

OUR CAMPAIGNS