Digital status report launched

Digital status report launched

Migrant Voice, together with Derya Ozkul, from the University of Warwick, Marie Godwin, from the University of Leicester, and Open Rights Group, launch our new report into the impact of the digital immigration system on those affected.

The report highlights a myriad of issues facing migrants impacted by the system, including exclusion from working and renting, and increased stress and depression.

Speaking at the launch event Marie Godwin, explained how the purpose of the report and research was to be able to better understand the implications of the digital environment on migrants.

What was found was a system seemingly designed to exclude different groups of migrants from society, a system which led to people losing out on job opportunities, which saw landlords hesitant to rent to migrants, a system which was inaccessible for different groups, including some older migrants and those without immediate access to digital technology.

As Derya highlighted, people were found to be losing out on job opportunities because of the system, including with the share codes, and how they needed to be redone so often. This even included at least one participant who turned down a promotion at work out of fear that issues with the share code would create wider, longer-term, problems with their employment.

Individuals from more than 20 nationalities were involved in the research, across a wide range of demographics, including education and where they were located now in the UK, were involved in the project. 

Marie confirmed that the majority of the participants had high levels of stress due to the digital system, including due to a lack of understanding about how the system worked, and the inability to quickly and easily prove their status to third parties or a fear of losing their rights.

Adding that the “burden of updating the information is placed on the migrants”. This created a sense of fatigue, and distrust towards the Home Office. Many saw the systems as designed to increase control over their life, rather than to simplify systems.

Not all participants found technical issues with the system, however, the majority still found problems with using it, and the way in which it affected their lives.

As Derya explained, there were numerous issues, including what is known as “data entanglement”, where participants saw other people’s data and information when they logged into their own accounts. She continued by highlighting how the automated responses from the Home Office were inconsistent, with members of the same family not all receiving confirmation, even when setting up accounts at the same time, and the serious issues facing people if they travelled.

“We heard that some people were unable to link their eVisas to their passports. They just were not aware of how to do it”, said Derya. This was in conjunction to a wide range of issues, including a fear of being unable to return to the UK, caused by the new system.

Concerns were also raised about a “racist mission creep” where migrants are asked to demonstrate their share codes by third parties with no need to see them As Marie said, this was shown by one participant who was asked for their share code while buying alcohol, rather than being allowed to show ID.

“it is important to remember that they digital environment does not treat all migrants equally,” explained Marie. “Most migrants in our research had negative experiences, and all said they felt it was an additional burden placed upon them”.

During the launch we also heard from Sara Alsherif, from the Open Rights group, Mihai Calin Bica, from the Roma Support Group, and Ghadah Alnasseri the Co-Executive Director of Imkaan.

Speaking about the security and privacy of the system, Sara warned of serious concerns and issues.

“What the Home Office says is misleading at times. Where is the Home Office paying attention to the security concerns… we heard of people who were told by the Home Office to print their status.”

The way they are dealing with the digital Id is very telling for how they are dealing with migrants in the UK. It is embedding the hostile environment into the system itself. There is nothing secure about putting the information and people into the cloud”.

“The system is not there yet. It cannot be digital by default. Alternatives are needed. I hope that our voices as migrants will be united in bringing about the changes which are needed”, added Mihai.

Our last speaker, Ghadah, gave a final warning about how the system can put, particularly vulnerable women, at further risk, including of coercive control. “I think the whole shift onto a digital id will put more of a burden onto them, and make them more invisible…Abusers can take their phones, which then includes their id, making them more vulnerable to abuse.”

Ghadah spoke of one of their members whose phone was taken, meaning she missed her immigration appointment leaving her without support. When she explained the situation it was ignored by the authorities.

Overall, the launch and report have highlighted significant issues, including of increasing the potential for abuse of individuals, but it also sets out short and long-term ways to try and improve the system and ensure that it is safer for individuals to use.

The report is part of the ‘Digitising Identity’ project, led by Derya Ozkul (University of Warwick) and Marie Godin (University of Leicester) in collaboration with Migrant Voice and Open Rights Group, and funded by ESRC Digital Good Network.