Workshop on immigration and Race Relations

The Manchester Malayalee Association hosted an ‘interactive and educative workshop’ on “Immigration and Race Relations”. The purpose of this meeting was two-fold:  to give the members an opportunity to put forward their questions on specific immigration and visa issues and to  reflect on issues relating to race relations  and immigration legislation in this country. A leading immigration solicitor from London, Mr Paul John, fielded a number of specific questions from the audience. Most questions related to visa applications and how the changes in immigration laws were affecting many of the members who had come recently on restricted visas to take up specific jobs in this country. Mr John showed considerable knowledge and empathy in answering the questions. His clarity of speech and friendly disposition helped to make this session a particularly valuable one. He was at his best in pointing out the direction in which future immigration laws could affect the members of the association. He warned them of possible pitfalls and bureaucratic nightmares facing those who neglected to take account of expiry times and the due dates for new applications and renewals. His talk and question and answer sessions were generally appreciated by the audience.

Dr Virinder Kalra gave a clear presentation of the historical and sociological dimensions of race relations and immigration policies of the UK since the War. The tendency to relate immigration controls to good race relations which has been a characteristic of all governments irrespective of their political leanings was highlighted in the presentation. He made some interesting observations on the issue of cultural identities and generational differences in different ethnic minority communities. Dr George Gheverghese Joseph who chaired the meeting took the opportunity to emphasize the need for the recent arrivals to avoid the ‘ghetto’ mentality and integrate into the wider community life in the UK.