The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants is a U.K-based left-of-center advocacy group founded in 1967 that seeks to end legal and policy “barriers” preventing immigration into the country as well as restrictions preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining public and private services including employment, drivers’ licenses, and bank accounts. 1 2 3
Finances
For the fiscal year ending in March of 2023, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants reported £1,332,157 (approximately $1,698,218) in total income, of which £777,440 (approximately $991,071) came from donations and legacies and £554,720 (approximately $707,150) was from charitable activities. It had expenditure of £1,256,810 (approximately $1,602,167) of which £75,350 (approximately $96,055) was saved as assets and the rest was allocated to charitable expenditures. The group has £761,220 (approximately $970,394) in net assets. 4
In 2022, the Open Society Foundations (OSF) provided a $50,000 grant to the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants for promoting work between civil society organizations in France and Belgium that facilitate immigration to the U.K. This grant was renewed and increased in 2023 for $150,000. 5
Organization Philosophy
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants advocates left-of-center views on immigration such as eliminating all restrictions on legal and policy-based barriers allowing illegal immigrants and refuges from coming into the United Kingdom as well as those preventing them from receiving access to government-funded benefits and services. In addition to legal services and activism, the group proposes to advance “progressive movements” to create nationwide change. 1 2 The group characterizes criticism and opposition to its proposals as being grounded in “hate and fear.” 1
Projects and Initiatives
We are Here
The We Are Here campaign advocates for simplifying the process for migrants and refugees to emigrate and receive permanent residency in the United Kingdom. It further proposes a maximum cap of five years to become a permanent resident, the abolition of the requirement that people be granted a visa if they will not access public funds, and a reduction of visa fees while implementing automatic visa renewal. 2
Work it Out
The Work It Out campaign advocates for eliminating policies that prevent illegal immigrants from receiving work in the U.K, even making it possible for all migrants to receive work regardless of their immigration status while separating existing labor standards enforcement from immigration. 2
Climate Justice is Migrant Justice
The Climate Justice is Migrant Justice campaign argues in favor of allowing unrestricted migration into the U.K from countries within the region known as the “Global South,” due to claims that developing countries in said region have been negatively impacted by wealthy countries and that allowing immigration is a form of “justice.” 2
Ending the Hostile Environment
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants advocates for ending all police-related raids or actions to identify or arrest illegal immigrants in the country, claiming that the British government seeks to make the country a hostile environment for all immigrants. This campaign also seeks to end restrictions that would prevent migrants from obtaining public services, like a drivers’ license, or a private service, such as opening a bank account. 2
Refugee Protection
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants’ refugee campaign proposes lifting all legal restrictions on refugees seeking asylum in the UK while abolishing all existing policy that would house said refugees in other countries. 2
Access to Justice
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants advocates for increased government funding towards providing legal representation for illegal immigrants. 2
Leadership
Yasmin Halima is the executive director of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, a position she has held since January of 2024. Previously, she worked for several international public health and nonprofit organizations. 6 7
References
- “About Us.” Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://jcwi.org.uk/about-us/.
- “Campaigns.” Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://jcwi.org.uk/campaigns/.
- “Home.” Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://jcwi.org.uk/.
- “JOINT COUNCIL FOR THE WELFARE OF IMMIGRANTS – Charity 1117513.” Register of Charities. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4000460/charity-overview.
- “Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.” Open Society. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=Joint+Council+for+the+Welfare+of+Immigrants&grant_id=OR2023-90520.
- “Our Staff.” Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://jcwi.org.uk/about-us/our-staff/.
- “Yasmin Halima | LinkedIn.” LinkedIn.com. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmin-halima-9a7bab32/?originalSubdomain=uk.