Alt Sheff

DEMONSTRATION against the Immigration Bill

Wed 18 Dec 2013, 12 noon meet bottom of The Moor (near new market)

The Immigration Bill being forced through Parliament has been described by one MP as "the most racist piece of legislation I have seen". Home Secretary Theresa May said the aim of the Bill was to "create a really hostile environment" for migrants. Is this the kind of society we want to live in? The Bill is not yet law: that's why we should protest against it now. The Bill proposes:

• That private landlords and banks must check the immigration status of prospective tenants and customers. But understanding immigration status is complex. This will lead to racial profiling and discrimination.
• To limit appeal rights and an increase in appeals that can only be made from abroad. But Home Office decision making is poor - proved by the fact that 40% of appeals succeed. Taking away the right to appeal will make the system even more unfair.
• A charge on all migrants without indefinite leave to remain, for use of the NHS. This idea is based on the myth of health tourism. But migrants are more likely to being working in the NHS than using it: 30-40% of all doctors and nurses were born outside the UK.
• The only people who should find the UK "a hostile environment" are those who seek to promote racism and division in the pursuit of anti-immigrant votes.

The march goes to the Town Hall then UK Border Agency Vulcan House at 1pm. Get your community group, trade union or tenants group to support the protest, which is organised by the South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group (SYMAAG)December 18th is International Migrants Day.www.symaag.org.ukTwitter @SYMAAG, also on Facebook