Helena Cullen
@helenamec.bsky.social
Asylum Aid childrens team, formally APBI at Safe Passage and Youth service, Asylum Welcome. All views and posts my own.
Reposted by Helena Cullen
Also: we really need to push back on this constant mantra that settlement (permanent residence) in the UK is a “privilege”.
The very least people are entitled to after spending years here and/or developing family ties is that they shouldn’t have to worry about re-applying to stay every few years.
The very least people are entitled to after spending years here and/or developing family ties is that they shouldn’t have to worry about re-applying to stay every few years.
Imagine being presented with these accounts of stark unfairness and insecurity caused by the earned settlement plans and your response being ‘It is a privilege not a right to settle in the UK and it must be earned’ - the Home Secretary needs to go www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Nurses’ families fear being torn apart in UK immigration crackdown, survey says
Exclusive: Most people in charity’s study say they worry about being separated from relatives under Mahmood plans
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Also: we really need to push back on this constant mantra that settlement (permanent residence) in the UK is a “privilege”.
The very least people are entitled to after spending years here and/or developing family ties is that they shouldn’t have to worry about re-applying to stay every few years.
The very least people are entitled to after spending years here and/or developing family ties is that they shouldn’t have to worry about re-applying to stay every few years.
Reposted by Helena Cullen
PS. Not too late to tell the government what you think about their proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain - the public consultation is open until 12th Feb.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
February 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
PS. Not too late to tell the government what you think about their proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain - the public consultation is open until 12th Feb.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by Helena Cullen
Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
Directed by Thom Zimny
Edited by Thom Zimny and Samuel Shapiro
Production Footage: Pam Springsteen and Thom Zimny
Singing through the bloody mist
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
Directed by Thom Zimny
Edited by Thom Zimny and Samuel Shapiro
Production Footage: Pam Springsteen and Thom Zimny
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Lyric Video)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
Directed by Thom Zimny
Edited by Thom Zimny and Samuel Shapiro
Production Footage: Pam Springsteen and Thom Zimny
Singing through the bloody mist
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
Directed by Thom Zimny
Edited by Thom Zimny and Samuel Shapiro
Production Footage: Pam Springsteen and Thom Zimny
Reposted by Helena Cullen
People are trying to make this complicated, kicking dust into the air. But it's really simple:
*The government has created the impossible conditions in which these prisoners - who have not been convicted of any crime - languish. By refusing to intervene, it is killing them.*
*The government has created the impossible conditions in which these prisoners - who have not been convicted of any crime - languish. By refusing to intervene, it is killing them.*
January 13, 2026 at 7:52 AM
People are trying to make this complicated, kicking dust into the air. But it's really simple:
*The government has created the impossible conditions in which these prisoners - who have not been convicted of any crime - languish. By refusing to intervene, it is killing them.*
*The government has created the impossible conditions in which these prisoners - who have not been convicted of any crime - languish. By refusing to intervene, it is killing them.*
Reposted by Helena Cullen
This is beyond shocking - how can this be allowed to happen? Why on earth can’t they be released on bail? They have a right to a fair trial, appropriate medical treatment, & the removal of punitive Prison Service conditions. Govt’s ban on Palestine Action is simply intolerable
Imprisoned hunger striker linked to Palestine Action tells friend: ‘I’m dying’
Imprisoned hunger striker linked to Palestine Action tells friend: ‘I’m dying’
Francesca Nadin visited Heba Muraisi, 31, in a Wakefield prison at the weekend and says ‘her body is shutting down’
*
UK politics live – latest updates
A prisoner linked to Palestine Action who is on day 71 of a hunger strike has told a friend: “I’m dying.”
Francesca Nadin visited Heba Muraisi, 31, at HMP New Hall, in Wakefield, on Saturday for the first time since the protest began and said she was taken aback by her friend’s appearance. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:53 PM
This is beyond shocking - how can this be allowed to happen? Why on earth can’t they be released on bail? They have a right to a fair trial, appropriate medical treatment, & the removal of punitive Prison Service conditions. Govt’s ban on Palestine Action is simply intolerable
Reposted by Helena Cullen
It's hard to find the words for how disgusting this is. It completely silences girls' experiences of male violence. It fails to recognise the importance of education for prevention. It ignores the drivers of men's violence. And it's racist.
Oh and for good measure, which party cut police numbers?
Oh and for good measure, which party cut police numbers?
December 18, 2025 at 4:55 PM
It's hard to find the words for how disgusting this is. It completely silences girls' experiences of male violence. It fails to recognise the importance of education for prevention. It ignores the drivers of men's violence. And it's racist.
Oh and for good measure, which party cut police numbers?
Oh and for good measure, which party cut police numbers?
Reposted by Helena Cullen
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
December 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Home Office Ministers state publicly, on the record, that they are deliberately making life worse for older people and people with disabilities who depend on care services, but it's worth it because it reduces net migration.
Reposted by Helena Cullen
Unity is stronger than division.
That’s why we’ve formed Together Alliance with 50+ organisations and thousands of individuals — all pushing back against the far right.
#Together we show where this country really stands.
Join us: togetheralliance.org.uk
That’s why we’ve formed Together Alliance with 50+ organisations and thousands of individuals — all pushing back against the far right.
#Together we show where this country really stands.
Join us: togetheralliance.org.uk
December 2, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Unity is stronger than division.
That’s why we’ve formed Together Alliance with 50+ organisations and thousands of individuals — all pushing back against the far right.
#Together we show where this country really stands.
Join us: togetheralliance.org.uk
That’s why we’ve formed Together Alliance with 50+ organisations and thousands of individuals — all pushing back against the far right.
#Together we show where this country really stands.
Join us: togetheralliance.org.uk
Reposted by Helena Cullen
This puts those families and children at a major economic and social disadvantage. Why? To stop some coming in future? To force them to leave? No evidence either will happen. They will still come and they will still settle, but after years of scrimping compared to other families.
Yes: we'd calculated that a single parent with 2 kids who started their settlement journey in 2017 would pay >£27k in fees & IHS over 10yrs to settle (w/o citizenship & pre-2025⬆️). Now >£54k for 20yrs if they'd ever claimed benefits for >12mnths - £225/month extra in essential HH costs over 20yrs.
This is a massive problem with Labour’s immigration proposals. All migrant families affected will be made considerably poorer (because of extra immigration fees over several years plus dampened job prospects) and many (most?) of those families have children.
November 29, 2025 at 1:22 PM
This puts those families and children at a major economic and social disadvantage. Why? To stop some coming in future? To force them to leave? No evidence either will happen. They will still come and they will still settle, but after years of scrimping compared to other families.
Reposted by Helena Cullen
This started pretty much immediately, I have already heard several examples, as well as people looking to withdraw change of conditions applications and decideling not to apply. Families will be left destitute
UK immigration status fears prompt carer to cancel benefits she is entitled to
UK immigration status fears prompt carer to cancel benefits she is entitled to
Woman cancels all benefits including disability living allowance for daughter after policy change announcement
A low-paid carer from Ghana has cancelled all the benefits she is legally entitled to, including the disability allowance one of her children receives, owing to fears about her immigration status after the policy changes announced by the home secretary.
The radical changes to legal migration announced by Shabana Mahmood on 20 November will penalise those who are living and working legally in the UK, but who claim benefits. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:51 AM
This started pretty much immediately, I have already heard several examples, as well as people looking to withdraw change of conditions applications and decideling not to apply. Families will be left destitute
Reposted by Helena Cullen
All of this was avoidable, all of it, every single second.
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:10 PM
All of this was avoidable, all of it, every single second.
Reposted by Helena Cullen
Another reminder of why everyone - including other UK media - should avoid treating the Telegraph as a reliable source... 👇👇👇
Quite the correction by the Telegraph. The publication in question is @freemovement.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Another reminder of why everyone - including other UK media - should avoid treating the Telegraph as a reliable source... 👇👇👇
Reposted by Helena Cullen
Earned Settlement plan when implemented will be done via secondary legislation (the rules). There will be no parliamentary scrutiny prior. Once done, it'll be v.hard to politically reverse. It's a watershed moment and will define immigration policy for at least a decade.
November 20, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Earned Settlement plan when implemented will be done via secondary legislation (the rules). There will be no parliamentary scrutiny prior. Once done, it'll be v.hard to politically reverse. It's a watershed moment and will define immigration policy for at least a decade.
Reposted by Helena Cullen
Labour: "More children will get to enjoy breakfast clubs."
Also Labour: "More children will get to enjoy being deported along with their families."
Also Labour: "More children will get to enjoy being deported along with their families."
November 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Labour: "More children will get to enjoy breakfast clubs."
Also Labour: "More children will get to enjoy being deported along with their families."
Also Labour: "More children will get to enjoy being deported along with their families."
Everything about the announcement today and earlier this week js horrifying. Total unnecessary cruelty and racism that benefits no one and causes so much harm. Honestly lost for words and so fucking angry right now
The settlement consultation would seem to confirm that the switch to a 20 year route will apply to those already with refugee status. A refugee who got their status 4 years ago could, depending on timings, find themselves suddenly facing an extra 15 years, with status reviews every 30 months.
November 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Everything about the announcement today and earlier this week js horrifying. Total unnecessary cruelty and racism that benefits no one and causes so much harm. Honestly lost for words and so fucking angry right now
Reposted by Helena Cullen
Shabana Mahmood's proposal to stop being told to "go back home" is to send people "home". Her proposal to stop black and brown people from feeling like they don't belong, is to bake in to the immigration system that they will never belong.
November 20, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Shabana Mahmood's proposal to stop being told to "go back home" is to send people "home". Her proposal to stop black and brown people from feeling like they don't belong, is to bake in to the immigration system that they will never belong.
Reposted by Helena Cullen
A reminder that the Daily Express' last editor but one, apologised for its "anti-immigrant" coverage which he said had meant "I just couldn't sleep" at night.
No such sleepless nights for his successor then
No such sleepless nights for his successor then
November 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A reminder that the Daily Express' last editor but one, apologised for its "anti-immigrant" coverage which he said had meant "I just couldn't sleep" at night.
No such sleepless nights for his successor then
No such sleepless nights for his successor then
This is a disgraceful response and just an outright lie considering all she is doing is pandering to what reform are saying.
Green MP Carla Denyer accuses Shabana Mahmood of trying to "out Reform Reform" and says "toxic racist narratives and the scapegoating of migrants" are to blame for "tearing our country apart" not migrants.
Mahmood: "I couldn't care less what any other political party has to say about these matters"
Mahmood: "I couldn't care less what any other political party has to say about these matters"
November 17, 2025 at 10:16 PM
This is a disgraceful response and just an outright lie considering all she is doing is pandering to what reform are saying.
Reposted by Helena Cullen
Any politician who is taking seriously that the next election might be lost to a far-right populist party, should be doing all they can to strengthen protections for vulnerable people. If this is lost, it will go down in history as a moment where everything collapsed.
November 14, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Any politician who is taking seriously that the next election might be lost to a far-right populist party, should be doing all they can to strengthen protections for vulnerable people. If this is lost, it will go down in history as a moment where everything collapsed.
Reposted by Helena Cullen
The grotesque spectacle of a Labour government — a Labour government! — promoting the idea of stealing from refugees to appease the far right
November 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The grotesque spectacle of a Labour government — a Labour government! — promoting the idea of stealing from refugees to appease the far right
Reposted by Helena Cullen
So the solution is… to join in?
I'm afraid the “dark forces” are calling from inside the house at this point.
I'm afraid the “dark forces” are calling from inside the house at this point.
November 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
So the solution is… to join in?
I'm afraid the “dark forces” are calling from inside the house at this point.
I'm afraid the “dark forces” are calling from inside the house at this point.
Reposted by Helena Cullen
Reposted by Helena Cullen
This rancid trash understands the significance of Labour's anti-refugee policies.
November 16, 2025 at 10:43 AM
This rancid trash understands the significance of Labour's anti-refugee policies.
Reposted by Helena Cullen
Is there a Home Secretary who, since 2005, *hasn’t* “introduced” safe return reviews for refugees? Other than Grant Shapps, who only had a few hours. Re-announcing an old, existing and totally pointless policy is very, very tired.
November 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Is there a Home Secretary who, since 2005, *hasn’t* “introduced” safe return reviews for refugees? Other than Grant Shapps, who only had a few hours. Re-announcing an old, existing and totally pointless policy is very, very tired.