Refugees warned over 'grim reality' of life in Britain

13 April 2012

Refugees in Northern France are being warned that life in Britain is not a bed of roses.

An office has been set up in Calais to dispel the myth of free education, free housing, cash handouts and an instant job.

Funded by 120 countries including France and Britain, it warns illegal immigrants that they are being conned by people-traffickers.

The International Organisation for Migration is handing out leaflets printed in 11 languages telling refugees about the "grim realities" of life here.

They are told they would be better off staying in France or returning to their own countries.

The advice follows a survey which ranked Britain just 37th in the world for quality of life, with France in first place.

Florian Forster, spokesman for the IOM, said: "The idea of our mission in Calais is to deter refugees from making hazardous illegal crossings.

"Once in Northern France, many migrants still believe that if they manage to cross the Channel they will find employment and be able to regularise their status over time

"They have been lured to Calais by criminal gangs who have told them that they will have a better future in Britain.

"But the reality is vastly different. Undocumented migrants in the UK have little hope of finding a legitimate job, obtaining benefits or being given a free education.

"They will remain particularly vulnerable to exploitation and will also have to live under the constant threat of arrest, detention and forcible return for illegal entry into the UK."

An IOM migrant information specialist is now based in Calais to provide refugees with information on the "risks and realities" of irregular immigration to the UK, Mr Forster said.

He added: "We are telling them that life will be just as hard in the UK as anywhere else, and they should not risk their lives sneaking aboard lorries or ferries to get there."

"As well as trying to deter refugees from sneaking into Britain, the Calais mission tells them how to make asylum claims in France and how to apply for up to £1,500 each from the French state to help them return home."

IOM teams are also handing out deterrent advice in refugees' home countries across the Balkans, Asia and Africa.

An estimated 1,000 refugees are still living rough around Calais more than four years after the controversial Sangatte hostel was shut down.

The French government has refused demands from aid organisations to open a new refugee hostel in the town to provide shelter over the winter.

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