Rallying call on 'cheap labour'

May 3 2007 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

HUNDREDS are expected to join a Bank Holiday rally in support of the hidden army of undocumented immigrants living in Birmingham.

City faith and community groups will be out on the city centre streets to back the national Strangers into Citizens campaign.

They are calling for failed asylum seekers, who have lived, worked and even paid taxes in the UK for more than four years to be granted citizenship under a one-off amnesty.

They argue that many thousands are left in Britain because it would be too costly and take too long to deport them, while the economy relies on, and often exploits, their cheap labour.

The campaign won official backing from Birmingham Citizens, a coalition of 28 religious and community groups, who have organised the rally for Monday.

There will be a mass at St Catherine's Church, Bristol Street, led by Roman Catholic Bishop William Kenney from 11am, followed by a rally outside.

People from more than 30 countries and of all faiths are expected to attend.

Last week a poll revealed that 66 per cent of Britons believe that those who work and pay taxes should be allowed to stay.

Campaigner volunteer Catherine OÕNeil, of St Joseph's Church, Nechells, said: "What this poll shows is that British people welcome immigrants who work and who are part of society.

"That is precisely the case with long-term undocumented migrants who have put down roots in Britain because they have found work and opportunity here.

"Many are exploited with low pay, no legal rights and no healthcare. In some cases it is like a modern slavery."

In March representatives from Catholic and Pentecostal churches, from the UK Islamic Mission and from Soho Road Gurudwara wrote an open letter to the Birmingham Mail in support of this campaign.