MORE than 1400 people are currently awaiting the outcome of their asylum claims in hotel accommodations in towns and cities across Scotland.
The so-called “asylum hotels” have been the site of anti-immigration protests in recent years, and hit the headlines last summer when they became the target of far-right riots in England, but so often missing from the coverage are the voices of those living inside.
The Sunday National met three men staying in a hotel to find out more about their experience in Scotland.
Kawa
KAWA* has been in asylum accommodation for 10 months, first in Aberdeen and then more recently in South Lanarkshire. In his home country of Iran, speaking out against the regime’s human rights abuses can have grave consequences. When his activities were reported to the authorities, he was forced to flee his home in the middle of the night to avoid capture.
“There were no preparations, it happened all of a sudden,” Kawa said. “I was just thinking about not falling into the hands of the government because they easily burn lives. If I was arrested, a dark fate awaited me.”
He paid a smuggler for safe passage from Iran into Europe – a dangerous journey he “would not even wish on his enemies”.
The 35-year-old wears a black cap every day, which he explained was to cover his newly greying hair.
“During this time all my hair turned white … being away from my family cost me a lot. Now I hide myself when I talk to them so they won’t be upset.”
Kawa left behind his wife in Tehran and has been suffering from depression since he arrived in Scotland. Unable to speak English, he explained through a translator that he has struggled to get the support he needs for his mental health.
Furthermore, issues with his ASPEN card – a prepaid card which allows people seeking asylum to get their weekly subsistence allowance – means he has yet to receive any financial support.
While their claim for refugee status is assessed, people seeking asylum are not allowed to work or claim benefits. The hotel provides a room and three basic meals a day, and the Government issues a weekly allowance of £8.86. With no income and nothing to do all day, frustration and boredom set in quickly with residents, many of whom face lengthy waits for their applications to be processed.
Mohammad
MOHAMMAD* stayed in the hotel for 15 months. He left Sudan on the back of a sheep lorry, the only means of transport he could find, to escape war in 2023.
“There’s nothing to plan for with nine pounds,” said Mohammad. “You just sleep, get up, sleep – there’s a lot of time to think. The time in the hotel is very difficult for mental health, with anxiety and depression.
“If allowed to study during asylum time it would be very helpful. Instead of letting people stay and waiting, let them work and do something to support themselves and the community.”
People like Kawa and Mohammad rely on charities to provide clothes and other basic amenities. With a long history of accommodating asylum seekers, Glasgow has many organisations that provide support, but even a trip into the city is often out of reach for those accommodated in other towns across Scotland.
“When I arrived, there were no organisations in this area,” Mohammad said. “People were talking about stopping asylum and sending people to Rwanda; I was scared about this.
“Maybe because there is a lot of fake news about people coming here, inside you feel strange; it’s a big barrier most people are struggling with. You don’t feel it’s your real country. We are very thankful for everything, but there’s still this kind of sense.”
Dismayed by the lack of services in South Lanarkshire, a group of local residents formed East Kilbride Integration Network (EKin) at the end of 2023 to help address the basic needs of those in the hotel. They hold monthly conversation cafes, where people can meet for a hot drink, practise their English and even get a haircut.
Mohammad took up the opportunity to attend English classes and play football with a local team. He has since started volunteering at the organisation, alongside fellow refugee Ahmed* who also fled the war in Sudan.
Ahmed
AHMED travelled to the UK alone, in a journey across North Africa and into Europe that spanned five months. A huge football fan, he said his knowledge of England was mostly from supporting Liverpool FC, but the 25-year-old knew nothing of Scotland before he was placed here.
“When I came here, I was really nervous,” he said. “I’m in a different country with new people – are they going to be friendly with us or not? I asked myself many questions. I didn’t go out in my first three weeks.”
Ahmed was unable to speak English when he arrived in 2023, and “felt ashamed” that he could not converse with people due to the language barrier. Armed with a notepad and pen, he spent his time in the library with the aim of learning 10 new words every day.
He added: “I have to learn quickly to understand people and the system, or there are so many doors closed on your face in the future.”
The asylum system not only dictates where you live while you await the outcome of your application, but it also strips away the daily autonomy most take for granted – such as what food to eat and when.
“Sometimes the food is bad, sometimes it’s nice,” Ahmed said. “You don’t have any choice, you have to eat at the same time, if you didn’t eat at that time, there is no food for you.”
With no friends or family around, everyone we spoke to told us life in the asylum system can be very isolating. More than 100 refugee charities across the UK recently signed an open letter urging the UK Government to end the use of hotels and instead accommodate people in community housing which supports “better integration into society”.
In the current circumstances, local organisations that offer events and support are often the only way for people to make new connections in the area.
“In EKin community I made friends, they help us so much,” said Ahmed. “There are a lot of activities, I play football, sometimes the gym, and badminton – I didn’t have any idea about this. Last year we went on some trips to Edinburgh, to Kelvingrove Museum, it was fantastic. I feel like I’m in the middle of my family.”
Mohammad and Ahmed recently received their refugee status, and are planning to further their education in software development and electrical engineering respectively. They both want to remain in Scotland to build their new lives.
Kawa’s initial asylum claim was rejected by the Home Office, and now he is awaiting the outcome of his appeal.
*Names have been changed
