Matondo Mukulu, UK barrister and former Public Defender (acting) in Jamaica - file photo
.png)
Barrister Matondo Mukulu and Dennis Jones, Director of the CCRP
United Kingdom barrister and former acting Public Defender in Jamaica Matondo Mukulu, has described as, a good result, commitments given on Monday by the UK Government to help children of the Windrush generation update their immigration status.
Monday in Parliament, Home Secretary Amber Rudd apologised for the treatment of the Windrush generation.
She said they would be helped to attain required documents for free and that all cases would be resolved in two weeks.
Mr. Mukulu told RJR News on Monday that credit must be given to the Members of Parliament who pressured the government to take action. But he said the government must go further and make legislative changes to ensure the situation does not recur.
"There was an amendment in 2014 to the Immigration Act and the (Act) brought something in place or removed something and I think some of the MPs have been calling rightfully for that section, which really protected persons from the Commonwealth...to be reintroduced so that we never find ourselves in this position another time," he purported.
Under the 1971 Immigration Act, all Commonwealth citizens already living in the UK at the time were given indefinite leave to remain.
However, the Home Office did not keep a record of those granted leave to remain or issue any paperwork confirming it; therefore, it is difficult for the individuals to now prove they are in the UK legally.
On Monday, the Home Office was unable to say whether anyone has already been deported.
Mr. Mukulu said he has not heard of any cases.
Caribbean Community of Retired Persons
In the meantime, the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) has not yet made a decision on whether it will assist senior persons of the Windrush generation in danger of being deported to Jamaica.
Dennis Jones, Director of the non-profit organization, said the situation could become chaotic on the Jamaican economy.
He said the organization will be meeting with the board and members to ascertain whether living relatives of returnees can be located to assist should such persons be deported.
According to Mr. Jones, the apology offered by the UK Government is insufficent until the issue is rectified.
comments powered by Disqus
.jpg)
All feeds
