Immigration status
& re-settlement
The majority of victims of
trafficking are likely to be in the UK illegally, having entered
covertly or by deception, or by being in breach of their original
conditions of entry. In such cases it is important that the
Immigration Service are notified at the earliest opportunity in order
to assess the status of the person concerned. It is recognised that
there are circumstances where a victim of trafficking may be unable or
unwilling to return to their country of origin immediately. Where a
victim has provided material assistance to a police investigation of a
serious crime, and is required as a witness on criminal proceedings,
there are existing arrangements for the police to apply to the
Immigration Service for regularisation of stay (Home Office Circular
12/97). Where a victim expresses a fear of return to their country of
origin, this will be considered by the Immigration Service. Particular
considerations will include the overall situation in the country
concerned, and whether the particular experiences of the individual
concerned are likely to mean that they face an increased risk.
If they are removed from
the UK, consideration should be given to contact being made with NGOs
in the home country to ensure that the person is not re-trafficked.
Assistance offered can include NGOs to meet the victim at the airport
and the involvement of NGO contacts in the specific home area.
The International
Organisation for Migration (IOM), for example, offers voluntary return
and reintegration assistance programmes for victims of trafficking,
where the reintegration assistance is implemented by or in
co-operation with local NGOs on the ground.
CHANGE have
just published a directory of over 600 organisations in 90 countries.
The aim of this is to facilitate inter-agency working and referral.
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