Who are we?

We are an independent national charity, founded in 1967 to defend the rights of Britain’s migrant communities and fight for a fairer immigration system.

What's at stake?

It takes hard work to build a life in a new country. But here in the UK, our politicians have created a hostile environment for migrants. All too often, people have to battle the Home Office just to get basic support.

As long as you are in the asylum or immigration systems, the Home Office imposes strict conditions that can affect where you live, whether you can access healthcare, and the work you can do.

It can take years, and cost thousands of pounds, before you are free to get on with your life. But without support, many people get stuck in limbo – denied basic rights, tied to strict visa conditions, separated from loved ones.

Under these conditions, our work is more crucial now than ever.

With help from people like you we can support asylum seekers and other migrants through:

• Our free, confidential helpline, providing expert advice to people without legal status in the UK;
• Representing people in their battle with the Home Office, and providing wraparound support for clients facing difficulties with housing or healthcare;
• Researching and documenting the brutal impacts of the immigration and asylum systems, and campaigning for change.

Will you help us to fight the hostile environment and help families to rebuild their lives safely in the UK?

Jocelyn’s story

Jocelyn, 37, is a a victim of a trafficking, and refugee from the Philippines. She hadn’t seen her children in six years when she came to JCWI for help last summer.

After a long struggle, Jocelyn had finally been recognised as a victim of trafficking and a refugee in early 2020. She was desperate to see her children, 16-year-old Janella and 15-year-old Rye, again. Georgina, her solicitor here at JCWI, submitted her family reunification application, and in spring 2021 it was approved. 

“It still feels surreal” says Jocelyn. “Finally we are together – regardless of anything else, they’re with me, that’s what matters.” It took a battle for Jocelyn, Janella and Rye to be reunited. At JCWI we fight alongside our clients. “I couldn’t have done it myself”, says Jocelyn. “Georgina fought for me.”

Please donate to JCWI today, so we can support more people like Jocelyn, Janella and Rye, to get on with rebuilding their lives.

How you can help?

• £10 could cover the cost of an asylum seeker’s public transport for an appeal hearing;
• £20 could contribute to the cost of running JCWI’s helpline, providing legal advice to someone who may have spent years too afraid to come forward for help;
• £30 could help pay for a training session for grassroots activists on how to fight for change in Parliament.

We are proud to say we have never taken Government funding, so we are completely independent. We know times are tough, and if you’re not able to support with a donation today, could you share this page on social media, to help spread the word? 

Thank you so much for your support.