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Rally highlights migrants' plight Rally call for migrant 'amnesty'
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of people are taking part in a church service and march in London to draw attention to the exploitation of illegal migrant workers. Faith leaders and trade unions have joined a rally in London calling for an amnesty for illegal migrants.
The Archbishop of Westminster has celebrated the special Mass for Migrants at Westminster Cathedral. The Strangers into Citizens campaign proposes the one-off "regularisation" of asylum-seekers and visa overstayers in the UK for more than four years.
It was being followed by a march and rally at Trafalgar Square. The initiative, modelled on similar schemes in the EU, highlights current exploitation of illegal migrants and potential future tax revenue.
Campaigners say some visa overstayers and failed asylum seekers have made an undocumented contribution to society and want laws to legalise their status. The Trafalgar Square rally followed a mass at Westminster Cathedral.
But immigration minister Liam Byrne has said such a move would put too much pressure on local services and "severely damage" the UK. Immigration minister Liam Byrne has said the plans would put too much pressure on local services and "severely damage" the UK.
Estimates vary widely as to how many illegal immigrants are living in the UK. The Home Office estimates up to 570,000, while pressure group Migration Watch puts the figure at up to 870,000.
You don't achieve anything if you simply replace them with another lot who get exploited Andrew Green, Migration WatchYou don't achieve anything if you simply replace them with another lot who get exploited Andrew Green, Migration Watch
March organisers say there are about 300,000 people who have "earned" the right to stay. Estimates vary widely as to how many illegal immigrants are living in the UK. The Home Office says there are up to 570,000, while pressure group Migration Watch puts the figure at up to 870,000.
Illegal migrants are exploited by employers who pay them poverty wages, undercutting British workers and depriving the country of millions of pounds of tax revenue, they contend. Rally organisers say they support the right to restrict immigration but contend there are more than 300,000 people already in the UK who should be given the legal right to stay.
They want a one-off amnesty for those who have been in the UK for more than four years that would see them given two-year work permits, potentially paving the way for citizenship. Illegal migrants are being exploited by employers who pay them poverty wages, undercutting British workers and depriving the country of millions of pounds of tax revenue, they say.
Musician Billy Bragg, who is among those due to address the rally, said such a move would build social cohesion. Campaigners want illegal migrants in the UK for more than four years be given two-year work permits, without a right to benefits, potentially paving the way for future citizenship.
"I believe [it] outweighs the cost to the welfare state that these people will be paying for themselves out of their own taxes," he said.
But Sir Andrew Green from Migration Watch said the move would be counterproductive.
"Difficult though the present situation is with people being exploited, you don't achieve anything if you simply replace them with another lot who get exploited," he said.
'Not right''Not right'
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, said in "no way" did he intend to encourage illegal immigration. Sir Andrew Green from Migration Watch said the move would be counterproductive.
"Difficult though the present situation is with people being exploited, you don't achieve anything if you simply replace them with another lot who get exploited," he said.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, who celebrated the special mass, told the BBC he was in "no way" intend to encourage future illegal immigration.
Many of them are married, settled down and so they live in a kind of shadow land Cardinal Murphy-O'ConnorMany of them are married, settled down and so they live in a kind of shadow land Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor
But he said many illegal immigrants had already been in the UK for years and "their rights should be protected".But he said many illegal immigrants had already been in the UK for years and "their rights should be protected".
He told the BBC: "I think a way's got to be found whereby they can become citizens and have the advantages of that... He told the BBC: "Many of them are married, settled down and so they live in a kind of shadow land. That's not right and it's not fair."
"Many of them are married, settled down and so they live in a kind of shadow land. That's not right and it's not fair." Addressing the rally, he said: "Our government and the governments all over the world must treat migrant workers with justice and with dignity."
The event is being held in support of the Strangers into Citizens campaign. Others at Trafalgar Square included the Anglican Bishop of Southwark Dr Tom Butler, Labour deputy leadership contender Jon Cruddas, Jack Dromey from the Transport and General Workers Union, and Baroness Shirley Williams.
An amnesty would also help reduce the huge backlog of cases in the immigration system, it says.