Chai Patel
@chaipatel.net
Migration, human rights, public law. He/him.
Reposted by Chai Patel
Hussein Haseeb Ahmed sought safety here. Instead, he was held at 'squalid' Manston, where he contracted diphtheria.
He died aged 31.
Hussein is one of far too many who've lost their lives to our hostile asylum system. We have to do better.
#KnowTheirNames
He died aged 31.
Hussein is one of far too many who've lost their lives to our hostile asylum system. We have to do better.
#KnowTheirNames
Manston asylum centre was ‘overcrowded, squalid and insanitary’, inquiry hears
Extent to which conditions deteriorated at Kent detention centre in 2022 is being investigated in public hearing
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Hussein Haseeb Ahmed sought safety here. Instead, he was held at 'squalid' Manston, where he contracted diphtheria.
He died aged 31.
Hussein is one of far too many who've lost their lives to our hostile asylum system. We have to do better.
#KnowTheirNames
He died aged 31.
Hussein is one of far too many who've lost their lives to our hostile asylum system. We have to do better.
#KnowTheirNames
Reposted by Chai Patel
I’m just doing my best to say things clearly guys
(Decoder with the CEO of Razer -> www.theverge.com/podcast/8633...)
(Decoder with the CEO of Razer -> www.theverge.com/podcast/8633...)
January 19, 2026 at 5:40 PM
I’m just doing my best to say things clearly guys
(Decoder with the CEO of Razer -> www.theverge.com/podcast/8633...)
(Decoder with the CEO of Razer -> www.theverge.com/podcast/8633...)
Reposted by Chai Patel
Interesting: Home Office officials tell PAC today they are introducing an 'asylum system board' with participants from DHCLG & DoJ to enable joined-up working
I recommended this approach in my report for @carladenyer.bsky.social so it's good to see some progress zoegardner.net/assets/no_wa...
I recommended this approach in my report for @carladenyer.bsky.social so it's good to see some progress zoegardner.net/assets/no_wa...
zoegardner.net
January 19, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Interesting: Home Office officials tell PAC today they are introducing an 'asylum system board' with participants from DHCLG & DoJ to enable joined-up working
I recommended this approach in my report for @carladenyer.bsky.social so it's good to see some progress zoegardner.net/assets/no_wa...
I recommended this approach in my report for @carladenyer.bsky.social so it's good to see some progress zoegardner.net/assets/no_wa...
Reposted by Chai Patel
lol the NYT didn’t have to wait until the goons took to the streets, The Verge ran this package in 2022 www.theverge.com/c/23055922/h...
January 18, 2026 at 3:53 PM
lol the NYT didn’t have to wait until the goons took to the streets, The Verge ran this package in 2022 www.theverge.com/c/23055922/h...
Ministers and PM are choosing to lie about this and adopting the conspiracy based language of far right and openly nazi web forums in doing so.
They're not just paving the way for a Reform win, they are rolling the pitch for mass deportations of ethnic minorities.
They're not just paving the way for a Reform win, they are rolling the pitch for mass deportations of ethnic minorities.
“Robert Jenrick is the man who as Immigration Minister oversaw the open borders experiment that led to the biggest increase in illegal immigration in our country”
Labour's Steve Reed reacts to Robert Jenrick's decision to defect from the Conservatives to Reform UK
Labour's Steve Reed reacts to Robert Jenrick's decision to defect from the Conservatives to Reform UK
January 16, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Ministers and PM are choosing to lie about this and adopting the conspiracy based language of far right and openly nazi web forums in doing so.
They're not just paving the way for a Reform win, they are rolling the pitch for mass deportations of ethnic minorities.
They're not just paving the way for a Reform win, they are rolling the pitch for mass deportations of ethnic minorities.
Reposted by Chai Patel
a non-zero number of pasty-faced ICE goons who are fully ancestry dot com-pilled about being like .0002% Irish will have their day sincerely, authentically ruined by this knowledge, and that makes it so beautiful to me
Dropkick Murphys are releasing a new song called "Citizen I.C.E."
The lyrics go: "Too scared to join the military/ Too dumb to be a cop."
consequence.net/2026/01/drop...
The lyrics go: "Too scared to join the military/ Too dumb to be a cop."
consequence.net/2026/01/drop...
Dropkick Murphys' Unveil Anti-ICE Song: "Too Scared to Join the Military, Too Dumb to Be a Cop"
Dropkick Murphys are releasing an anti-I.C.E. song, "Citizen I.C.E.," as part of their tour-only split LP with Haywire. Learn more.
consequence.net
January 15, 2026 at 9:25 PM
a non-zero number of pasty-faced ICE goons who are fully ancestry dot com-pilled about being like .0002% Irish will have their day sincerely, authentically ruined by this knowledge, and that makes it so beautiful to me
Reposted by Chai Patel
Video was leaked today of UK police setting dogs on and using CS spray on people seeking asylum, protesting their detention under the "one in, one out" policy, inside a detention centre (in case you thought the UK immune from what ICE is doing in the US): www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
More than 100 asylum seekers stage ‘one in, one out’ protests at detention centres
Officers with riot shields, dogs and teargas called in to quell action at Harmondsworth and Brook House facilities
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Video was leaked today of UK police setting dogs on and using CS spray on people seeking asylum, protesting their detention under the "one in, one out" policy, inside a detention centre (in case you thought the UK immune from what ICE is doing in the US): www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by Chai Patel
The PM refers to an experiment in "open borders" by a Govt. that LEFT THE EU. It can only mean "there are still too many black and brown people in this country, we need to get rid of them". And the best person to do that is Nigel Farage. PM might as well run a "don't vote me" campaign.
Starmer keeps using this line, & it's bonkers.
Most importantly, it's untrue: the party that ended Free Movement, ran the "hostile environment" & made Suella Braverman Home Sec did not run "an experiment in open borders".
It's also politically mad. Voters who believe this will not vote for Starmer
Most importantly, it's untrue: the party that ended Free Movement, ran the "hostile environment" & made Suella Braverman Home Sec did not run "an experiment in open borders".
It's also politically mad. Voters who believe this will not vote for Starmer
!["And this is what Keir Starmer’s press secretary has said about Robert Jenrick at the lobby briefing this morning.
[Highlighted] Robert Jenrick was the immigration minister in a government that presided over an open borders experiment [Highlighted], a health minister who left people stuck on waiting lists, and a Treasury minister during the worst decline in living standards on record.”
While Reform continues to welcome failed Tory retreads, this Labor government is putting the country back on track."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cixgmtrg7nzy4gkmyfeosaox/bafkreibe3jczrmbmzfnhj2adl4qe432lbpmcbn6m6qrentwih7vxj4fu7y@jpeg)
January 15, 2026 at 2:48 PM
The PM refers to an experiment in "open borders" by a Govt. that LEFT THE EU. It can only mean "there are still too many black and brown people in this country, we need to get rid of them". And the best person to do that is Nigel Farage. PM might as well run a "don't vote me" campaign.
Reposted by Chai Patel
I’m concerned the government may be trying to nobble a court it doesn’t like.
Here are a few thoughts on the proposed reorganisation of immigration appeals, in addition to Colin’s very useful thread below. 1/
(All screenshots in this thread from the letter posted by Colin.)
Here are a few thoughts on the proposed reorganisation of immigration appeals, in addition to Colin’s very useful thread below. 1/
(All screenshots in this thread from the letter posted by Colin.)
1. At last a few details on the proposed new immigration and asylum appeals body. Letter from Home Sec to chair of the Justice Committee. Full text here committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk
January 15, 2026 at 9:40 AM
I’m concerned the government may be trying to nobble a court it doesn’t like.
Here are a few thoughts on the proposed reorganisation of immigration appeals, in addition to Colin’s very useful thread below. 1/
(All screenshots in this thread from the letter posted by Colin.)
Here are a few thoughts on the proposed reorganisation of immigration appeals, in addition to Colin’s very useful thread below. 1/
(All screenshots in this thread from the letter posted by Colin.)
Reposted by Chai Patel
I have a question for MPs. How old were they when they first got on the internets. Be it forums, social media, etc..
My second question would be, what did you do as a teenager for fun? In terms of places to hang out with other youth. What was available to them. (especially the MPs who are under 40.)
My second question would be, what did you do as a teenager for fun? In terms of places to hang out with other youth. What was available to them. (especially the MPs who are under 40.)
January 14, 2026 at 3:57 PM
I have a question for MPs. How old were they when they first got on the internets. Be it forums, social media, etc..
My second question would be, what did you do as a teenager for fun? In terms of places to hang out with other youth. What was available to them. (especially the MPs who are under 40.)
My second question would be, what did you do as a teenager for fun? In terms of places to hang out with other youth. What was available to them. (especially the MPs who are under 40.)
Reposted by Chai Patel
Yep. This is what we work in.
And you'll note the jury system didn't cause a delay here. Or, in reality, practically ever.
Crap buildings, lack of courtrooms, sitting judges, legal professionals, CPS staff, police staff and training...
And you'll note the jury system didn't cause a delay here. Or, in reality, practically ever.
Crap buildings, lack of courtrooms, sitting judges, legal professionals, CPS staff, police staff and training...
Child rape trial delayed after a plug explodes under the prosecutor's bench
Sparks flying, strong smell of burning, a lawyer lucky not to have been electrocuted
But in a sign of how we simply cope with terrible court decay, the prosecutor took a minute, moved along the bench & got on with case prep
Sparks flying, strong smell of burning, a lawyer lucky not to have been electrocuted
But in a sign of how we simply cope with terrible court decay, the prosecutor took a minute, moved along the bench & got on with case prep
January 14, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Yep. This is what we work in.
And you'll note the jury system didn't cause a delay here. Or, in reality, practically ever.
Crap buildings, lack of courtrooms, sitting judges, legal professionals, CPS staff, police staff and training...
And you'll note the jury system didn't cause a delay here. Or, in reality, practically ever.
Crap buildings, lack of courtrooms, sitting judges, legal professionals, CPS staff, police staff and training...
Reposted by Chai Patel
So the best way to make the British public feel the asylum system is under control is to overnight create a visible increase in homeless/rough sleeping asylum seekers. That will work really well politically I'm sure. And not dangerous given the rise in violent fascism. news.sky.com/story/asylum...
Asylum hotel migrant evictions set to begin in the spring
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is about to start stripping accommodation and other support from thousands of asylum seekers.
news.sky.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM
So the best way to make the British public feel the asylum system is under control is to overnight create a visible increase in homeless/rough sleeping asylum seekers. That will work really well politically I'm sure. And not dangerous given the rise in violent fascism. news.sky.com/story/asylum...
Reposted by Chai Patel
The latest tribunal stats showed that between July and Sep last year a third of appeals were disposed of because the Home Office were withdrawing their initial decision ahead of a hearing, presumably because it wouldn't have been defendable www.gov.uk/government/s...
Tribunals statistics quarterly: July to September 2025
Type and volume of tribunal cases received, disposed of or outstanding. This also includes statistics on the Gender Recognition Certificate applied for and granted by HMCTS Gender Recognition Panel.
www.gov.uk
January 14, 2026 at 9:41 AM
The latest tribunal stats showed that between July and Sep last year a third of appeals were disposed of because the Home Office were withdrawing their initial decision ahead of a hearing, presumably because it wouldn't have been defendable www.gov.uk/government/s...
Reposted by Chai Patel
"continue" to have access to justice indicates that people currently have this. Which I can very much assure you is not the case.
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
January 14, 2026 at 8:38 AM
"continue" to have access to justice indicates that people currently have this. Which I can very much assure you is not the case.
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
Reposted by Chai Patel
The informal economy where undocumented migrants & asylum seekers find work despite idiotic restrictions is larger in France than the UK.
It is larger in every other European country that also have ID than the UK.
The idea you can work more easily in the UK is a lie. #r4today
It is larger in every other European country that also have ID than the UK.
The idea you can work more easily in the UK is a lie. #r4today
January 14, 2026 at 8:22 AM
The informal economy where undocumented migrants & asylum seekers find work despite idiotic restrictions is larger in France than the UK.
It is larger in every other European country that also have ID than the UK.
The idea you can work more easily in the UK is a lie. #r4today
It is larger in every other European country that also have ID than the UK.
The idea you can work more easily in the UK is a lie. #r4today
Reposted by Chai Patel
‘However, sources familiar with internal discussions have told PoliticsHome that one change under consideration within government is introducing the Right To Work element of the scheme as optional in 2029, before potentially making it mandatory later down the line.’
The government is considering watering down the mandatory element of digital ID, @matildamartin.bsky.social reports exclusively
A Labour MP told PolHome: "Making it non-mandatory would take a lot of the heat out of the debate and allow everyone to focus on the benefits... which are significant"
A Labour MP told PolHome: "Making it non-mandatory would take a lot of the heat out of the debate and allow everyone to focus on the benefits... which are significant"
Government Considers Watering Down Mandatory Element Of Digital ID
Exclusive: There are discussions within government about introducing a key part of the digital ID scheme as optional, rather than as mandatory, Pol...
www.politicshome.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:35 PM
‘However, sources familiar with internal discussions have told PoliticsHome that one change under consideration within government is introducing the Right To Work element of the scheme as optional in 2029, before potentially making it mandatory later down the line.’
Reposted by Chai Patel
People often assume there's a right and wrong way to present data in a chart or graphic. But there are many legitimate choices that can mean a telling different stories with the same data.
Data viz guru Andy Kirk @visualisingdata.com shared more wisdom with me this week on the podcast this week 📊🔊
Data viz guru Andy Kirk @visualisingdata.com shared more wisdom with me this week on the podcast this week 📊🔊
January 13, 2026 at 8:57 AM
People often assume there's a right and wrong way to present data in a chart or graphic. But there are many legitimate choices that can mean a telling different stories with the same data.
Data viz guru Andy Kirk @visualisingdata.com shared more wisdom with me this week on the podcast this week 📊🔊
Data viz guru Andy Kirk @visualisingdata.com shared more wisdom with me this week on the podcast this week 📊🔊
Reposted by Chai Patel
Editorial assistant job going with @freemovement.bsky.social ⤵️
New from Free Movement: Job ad: Editorial Assistant at Free Movement | Free Movement
Job ad: Editorial Assistant at Free Movement - Free Movement
Free Movement is seeking an Editorial Assistant to join our small team. You’ll be working with the Editor (Jasmine Quiller-Doust) and Training Manager (Rachel
freemovement.org.uk
January 12, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Editorial assistant job going with @freemovement.bsky.social ⤵️
Reposted by Chai Patel
The narrative about London crime is truly so BORING to Londoners.
Those of us who walk & travel around our city safely every day, every night.
The likeliest daily risk to Londoners is of being ripped off by our landlord or somewhere charging us £4.50 for a coffee. #r4today
Those of us who walk & travel around our city safely every day, every night.
The likeliest daily risk to Londoners is of being ripped off by our landlord or somewhere charging us £4.50 for a coffee. #r4today
January 12, 2026 at 8:02 AM
The narrative about London crime is truly so BORING to Londoners.
Those of us who walk & travel around our city safely every day, every night.
The likeliest daily risk to Londoners is of being ripped off by our landlord or somewhere charging us £4.50 for a coffee. #r4today
Those of us who walk & travel around our city safely every day, every night.
The likeliest daily risk to Londoners is of being ripped off by our landlord or somewhere charging us £4.50 for a coffee. #r4today
Reposted by Chai Patel
cannot stress enough that they are abducting legal observers left and right and people are hearing about this happening to other people and still immediately going “alright where can i go to help now”
January 11, 2026 at 7:56 PM
cannot stress enough that they are abducting legal observers left and right and people are hearing about this happening to other people and still immediately going “alright where can i go to help now”
Reposted by Chai Patel
95% of my television diet is Anthony Bourdain, whose journey from jaded cynic to slightly less jaded world citizen happened entirely in public
How is everyone making sense of what's happening in the world right now? And how are you staying hopeful and active towards positive change?
January 11, 2026 at 10:18 PM
95% of my television diet is Anthony Bourdain, whose journey from jaded cynic to slightly less jaded world citizen happened entirely in public
It won't, because delays aren't caused by juries and the proposals won't fix a crumbling criminal justice system.
But who are they speaking to?! What imaginary voter wants to give up a core civic right, held for centuries, for the promise of jam in a decade?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
But who are they speaking to?! What imaginary voter wants to give up a core civic right, held for centuries, for the promise of jam in a decade?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Slashing jury trials could clear courts backlog within a decade, says Lammy
Exclusive: Lord chancellor urges MPs to back judge-only trials in thousands of criminal cases in England and Wales
www.theguardian.com
January 11, 2026 at 10:17 PM
It won't, because delays aren't caused by juries and the proposals won't fix a crumbling criminal justice system.
But who are they speaking to?! What imaginary voter wants to give up a core civic right, held for centuries, for the promise of jam in a decade?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
But who are they speaking to?! What imaginary voter wants to give up a core civic right, held for centuries, for the promise of jam in a decade?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Chai Patel
The EAT has allowed an appeal by Latin American seasonal farm workers to proceed, after it was struck out for missing a tribunal deadline. The workers, supported by @uvwunion.bsky.social , argued it is unjust and irrational to expect undocumented workers in crisis to navigate complex legal systems
January 11, 2026 at 11:34 AM
The EAT has allowed an appeal by Latin American seasonal farm workers to proceed, after it was struck out for missing a tribunal deadline. The workers, supported by @uvwunion.bsky.social , argued it is unjust and irrational to expect undocumented workers in crisis to navigate complex legal systems
Reposted by Chai Patel
I BEG every smug commentator who praised Mahmood for doing the “tough but necessary thing” to read this.
All the disadvantages of plummeting immigration for the economy & public services, for NO POLITICAL GAIN.
Labour in DESPERATE need of a 180 change of course on immigration
All the disadvantages of plummeting immigration for the economy & public services, for NO POLITICAL GAIN.
Labour in DESPERATE need of a 180 change of course on immigration
January 11, 2026 at 10:56 AM
I BEG every smug commentator who praised Mahmood for doing the “tough but necessary thing” to read this.
All the disadvantages of plummeting immigration for the economy & public services, for NO POLITICAL GAIN.
Labour in DESPERATE need of a 180 change of course on immigration
All the disadvantages of plummeting immigration for the economy & public services, for NO POLITICAL GAIN.
Labour in DESPERATE need of a 180 change of course on immigration
Reposted by Chai Patel
well well well
AI layoffs are looking more and more like corporate fiction that's masking a darker reality, Oxford Economics suggests | Fortune
"Firms don't appear to be replacing workers with AI on a significant scale," the firm said. It suspects some are trying to "dress up layoffs" as good news.
fortune.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:52 PM
well well well