Agenda item - Resisting Hostile Immigration Policies

30.1    The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Barton Ahmad on behalf of the Green Group and formally seconded by Councillor Goldsmith.

30.2    Councillor Sankey moved an amendment on behalf of the Labour Group which was formally seconded by Councillor Asaduzzaman.

30.3    Councillors McNair and Earthey spoke on the matter

30.4    Councillor Barton Ahmad responded to the debate and did not accept the amendment.

30.5    The mayor congratulated Cllr Nadia Barton Ahmad on their maiden speech.

30.6    The mayor put the amendment to the vote and confirmed that it had been carried.

30.7    The mayor put the motion as amended to the vote and confirmed that it had been carried.

RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

1.  The current government’s action to resist the hostile policies of the previous Government including scrapping the Rwanda deportation scheme and starting to process asylum cases again.

1.    The hostile environment reached its peak in Brighton and Hove when 137 unaccompanied asylum seeking children went missing from a hotel in Hove between 2021 and 2022

2.    The recent counter-protests, which demonstrate that the vast majority of our city reject the far-right hate that drives these hostile immigration policies.

3.    Brighton and Hove’s longstanding status as a City of Sanctuary, recently recognised by the Council of Sanctuary award.

This Council resolves to:

1.     Officially endorse the Leader’s recent letter to the Home Secretary calling for an extension to the move on period; granting asylum seekers the right to work after six months; the commencement of local authority led accommodation pilots and restore the right to family reunion.

This Council further notes:

a.    The council’s legal obligations relate to regulatory, safeguarding and public protection responsibilities, such as consumer protection, public safety, health and safety, licensing compliance, modern slavery, labour exploitation and safeguarding concerns and do not extend to  immigration enforcement;

b.    There are no data-sharing or service agreements with the Home Office in place concerning immigration enforcement

c.     Continues partnership working with organisations like Voices in Exile to support migrants and businesses to ensure they are aware of their legal rights.