The UK does not have an open borders policy. Despite Government and right-wing claims that successive administrations have “lost control” over the immigration system, the reality is an incredibly restrictive system designed to make the lives of migrants, including refugees and people seeking asylum, as difficult as possible.  

In May 2025, the Government published the new Immigration White Paper entitled Restoring Control Over the Immigration System. The 82-page document containing an amalgamation of proposed policies targeting a wide range of migrant groups was accompanied by the now-infamous “island of strangers” speech from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

We summarised the key proposals in the White Paper at the time but in a nutshell, the guiding principles for the policies are that:

• Net migration must come down
• The immigration system must be linked to skills requirements in the UK
• The Immigration system must be fair and effective
• Immigration rules must be respected and enforced
• The immigration system must support integration and community cohesion

On 1st July 2025, the Home Office announced the first changes to be implemented will focus on increases to required so-called skill and salary thresholds, including limiting shortage occupations that people can be sponsored to fill.

Notably, despite the rhetoric that accompanied the White Paper, the proposals acknowledge the existence of a UK points-based system and some of the proposals aren’t actually anything new.

Not a Stranger

Over the last few years, we’ve seen a flurry of increasing cruel immigration policies from the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, the Rwanda Plan, and the Illegal Migration Act 2023 to the Border Security Bill, however the White Paper sparked the biggest outpouring of frustration and grief we’ve seen from the migrant communities we work alongside. In the wake of the announcement, migrants from across the country and with various immigration statuses have joined together to form the Not a Stranger campaigning group, led by and for migrants impacted by the proposals. Supported by Migrants’ Rights Network and the Pan African Workers’ Association (PAWA), the group are leading a movement to collectively push back against increasingly cruel immigration policies and rhetoric.

Letter to the Prime Minister

In an interview with The Observer on 27th June, Starmer said he “deeply regrets” the ‘island of strangers” speech. But the damage is done. The Not a Stranger campaign has penned a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to turn his ‘regret’ into meaningful action. They also call for a commitment to replace the Government’s anti-immigration rhetoric with a discourse that upholds the rights, and acknowledges the humanity of every individual who calls the UK their home. This letter received 300 signatures from migrants and allies.

While the letter has been sent, you can still show your support. If you are impacted by the White Paper proposals, you can join the campaign here  or pledge your support by adding your signature to this statement and sending it to your local media or newspaper. This will help signal the huge opposition to the Government’s proposals, amplify the Not a Stranger campaign and build a movement from the ground up.

See the letter below:

Check out more of our work on the White Paper:

• What is the new Immigration White Paper proposing?