The “joys” of migration
January 31st marked five years since the UK left the European Union, and one of the main reasons people were persuaded to leave was to limit the free movement of people into the country.
When migration is discussed in the news, we often hear from politicians, the public, and organisations working with migrants or asylum seekers. However, we rarely get to hear from migrants themselves.
But their voices, our voices, should and must be heard. Not only because they matter, but because there is value and power in understanding their firsthand experiences.
It is equally important to note that migrants are not a homogeneous group, despite the constant generalisations and stereotypes shared online or in the media.
While the UK offers many migrants opportunities for a better life, the journey to integration is often fraught with difficulties. From my own experience, I can say migration is taxing on many levels.
The stress of simply navigating a system in a country you are barely familiar with can (at times) overshadow the opportunities initially sought.
From legal and financial uncertainties to social isolation and discrimination, these obstacles can take a severe toll on one’s emotional and physical wellbeing.
Many also encounter job restrictions that can lead to economic struggles, like low-wage work and limited access to social services, making them feel unstable and hopeless.
Other struggles might seem ‘mundane’ but they still matter.
For example, having your name constantly butchered or being misgendered because of your name.
Or using most of your annual leave to visit your motherland, your family, and your friends instead of taking a break or exploring new places.
If you have children, it’s even harder because they may lose connection to their cultural roots during a time when their identity is developing.
The stress of trying to fit in while maintaining cultural ties and relationships to your country of origin can be overwhelming and contribute to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
I am privileged to come from a European country that shares the same religious calendar as the UK (almost). However, newcomers with different faith backgrounds have to navigate a new religious context and strike a balance with their heritage and culture.
Although I have experienced my fair share of xenophobia as an ‘Eastern European,’ I am aware that being a white man has provided some leverage to navigate and has spared me some discrimination that others with darker skin might face.
Moreover, as an EU citizen, I have faced less legal uncertainty than those coming from beyond the European continent, who have to face more complex immigration systems. Unclear visa statuses and the fear of deportation can add to their anxiety and depression.
Despite the various obstacles and challenges of being a migrant, statistics show that this country fares far better with us than without.
The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts have generally estimated that higher net migration leads to lower financial deficits and debt because migrants tend to be of working age and prioritize their jobs.
Additionally, ONS data showed that despite the fertility rate being at its lowest level on record in England and Wales in 2023, their population is projected to continue to grow, largely due to net migration.
When it comes to working in problem-solving teams, Mathew Syed articulated clearly in a recent book that diversity is not optional and is the basic ingredient of ‘collective intelligence.’
He showed how heterogeneous groups (that have a ‘stranger’) outperform homogeneous ones in problem-solving.
Not just demographic diversity, but more importantly, cognitive diversity. And what brings cognitive diversity is beyond neurodiversity; it also includes migration.
The point for me is that if you don’t have a migrant in your ‘team’ or ‘circle of friends,’ try to be curious about people who share a different accent, religion, or culture than yourself. Even if you have some personal reservations.
Dialogue, even with those you don’t understand or may disagree with, might lead to some pleasant surprises (most of the time).
Lastly, I want to recognise organisations like TogetherInTheUK, Social Equity Centre, the3million, and MigrantDemocracy that are doing great work to uplift the voices of migrants.
