“A prison sentence, not a policy”: survivor condemns UK’s immigration plans

Nishta Mauree, a trafficking survivor, has spoken out against the UK governments proposed changes to immigration policy, condemning the extension of the settlement period as “a prison sentence.” The statement follows the publication of the Labour party’s latest Immigration White Paper, which outlines plans to double the time migrants must wait before applying for permanent residency from five to ten years.

“This is not immigration policy,” said Mauree, now a youth organiser at the migrant rights charity Praxis. “It is a prison sentence.”

The controversial proposal affects tens of thousands of migrants, including many survivors of trafficking and exploitation who arrive in the UK seeking safety. Critics argue the extended 10-year route embeds instability, poverty, and trauma for those already vulnerable.

A decade of living in limbo

The 10-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain—also known as permanent residency—demands four costly and complex visa renewals over a decade. For many, this means living in fear and uncertainty, with significant financial burdens and mental health consequences.

In an opinion piece for LBC, Mauree writes:

“I’ve spent my twenties just trying to survive, juggling full-time work with the crushing stress of reapplying, paying thousands, and wondering—every time—if this will be the moment the Home Office says no.”

The costs associated with the 10-year route are staggering. One adult may pay over £25,000 in visa fees and surcharges, not including legal assistance. For many survivors of trafficking, this financial pressure is especially cruel, making them increasingly vulnerable to exploitation by exacerbating their legal and financial instability.

Exploitation and constant re-traumatization

Advocates warn that the system does more than prolong uncertainty—it creates fertile ground for modern slavery and exploitation. Survivors like the Mauree, who was trafficked to the UK at age 14, often face ongoing vulnerabilities due to restrictive immigration frameworks.

“Many women in my position feel they have no option but to stay in toxic or abusive relationships for fear that ending them will jeopardise their immigration status,” she said.

“How can any government claim to champion women’s rights while forcing people into that kind of impossible choice?”

For survivors recovering from exploitation, the lack of stability and support can re-traumatize. Mauree adds from her own experience:

“I never stopped reliving my trauma—not just the trafficking, but what came after. The paperwork. The financial pressure. The instability.”

Now permanently settled, Mauree works with young migrants navigating the same system she endured. She believes the UK is squandering potential by refusing migrants the security needed to thrive:

“What I see every day — in my life and in theirs — is how cruel and self-defeating the UK’s 10-year Limited Leave to Remain pathway is.”

“I’ve seen friends and fellow survivors who were once nervous to speak English in public become nurses, students, and teachers. That’s what happens when people are given security and opportunity.”

Her call to the UK government is clear: “If the Labour Party cares about justice and fairness, it would scrap the 10-year route to settlement altogether.”

Fighting for safe migration for all

The current proposal put forth by the Labour government fails to protect migrants from exploitation. Instead, it renders migrants more vulnerable and risks re-traumatizing survivors of trafficking. When individuals find themselves in legal limbo for a decade, struggling to access work, services, or stability, their risk of exploitation by those who promise false hope or survival significantly increases.

Mauree’s words highlight the urgent need for an immigration system that is fair and just. Demand that governments implement safe migration policies that are resilient to exploitation everywhere by taking action today.