Migration, Citizenship and Belonging

We believe that everyone – regardless of where they were born – deserves to live with dignity, freedom from discrimination, and a secure place to call home. Yet across the UK and globally, counterterrorism powers are being used to justify the erosion of these rights, particularly for migrants and people from migrant backgrounds.

In the UK, policies such as Prevent have entrenched suspicion against Muslim communities, targeting individuals based on belief, background, or political opinion rather than evidence. These policies foster a climate of surveillance and mistrust, undermining social cohesion and amplifying Islamophobia. They also contribute to a sense of exclusion and insecurity among people who already face racial and religious discrimination.

At the same time, barriers to acquiring citizenship – such as the UK’s vague and expansive ‘good character’ requirement – allow for unjust refusals of naturalisation. People who entered the UK through irregular means, often out of necessity, are now retroactively penalised, even after being granted protection. These refusals frequently fall along racial, ethnic, and religious lines, reinforcing a discriminatory and tiered system of belonging.

Citizenship is not just a legal status – it is a foundation for safety, equality, and the ability to participate fully in society. Denying it on vague or ideological grounds can entrench statelessness, instability, and alienation.

Our Migration, Citizenship and Belonging workstream is dedicated to challenging these injustices. We expose the misuse of counterterrorism powers that target migrants, including surveillance, arbitrary questioning, and citizenship deprivation. We also challenge discriminatory barriers to naturalisation and advocate for transparent, fair citizenship laws that uphold human rights.

We support communities targeted by Islamophobia and far-right violence, particularly in Northern Ireland and other underserved parts of the UK. As part of this work, we are piloting an immigration, anti-discrimination advice service for migrants, with particular outreach to people facing heightened risk of hate crimes and marginalisation.

We hold governments accountable for failing to respond to threats and intimidation against migrant communities, including from paramilitary groups. At the international level, we advocate for the end of citizenship deprivation, working to secure legal reforms and global condemnation of rights-violating practices.

We are proud to work in solidarity with civil society partners in the UK and around the world, ensuring that all people – regardless of immigration status – can live free from fear and with full recognition of their rights and dignity.

Everyone deserves to belong.