SWU has signed the Migrant Workers’ Rights Coalition (MWRC) joint letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighting urgent concerns over the Immigration White Paper and various announcements over the last few months.
Sent to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on June 30th, the MWRC’s joint letter calls for a meeting to hear concerns from migrant communities and rights groups concerns, and urges a change in government approach. We are currently awaiting a response.
The letter reads:
Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP
Home Secretary
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
30 June 2025
Dear Home Secretary,
We are writing to you on behalf of a coalition of migrant-led groups, trade unions, frontline advice and support organisations, and policy and research bodies, representing hundreds of thousands of migrant workers across the UK. We wish to express our deep concern over the significant fears, confusion, and uncertainties faced by migrant workers in light of the Government’s recent Immigration White Paper and various announcements in the last few months.
We note the recent House of Commons Library research briefing published on 3 June 2025, which clarifies some aspects of the White Paper proposals but leaves key questions unresolved for our migrant worker communities.
Many migrant workers—whether recently arrived to build their lives here or long-established members of our communities—are now left in a state of uncertainty regarding their futures. The proposed changes represent large-scale reforms to the visa and immigration system, directly impacting vital sectors of the economy. However, key groups such as those on existing settlement and citizenship pathways, overseas domestic workers, workers performing vital day-to-day functions, and those in critical sectors like social care remain unclear about how these proposals will affect their rights, security and status in the UK.
Moreover, the increased hostile rhetoric and actions targeting undocumented workers—who are integral members of our communities—has intensified fear, division, and even violence. This is deeply concerning not only for the individuals and communities affected but also for social cohesion more broadly.
In light of this, we kindly request a meeting at your earliest convenience to openly discuss the implications of these proposals, to listen to the experiences and concerns of our communities, to seek reassurance about their futures, and to explore ways to ensure migrant workers’ rights are protected and that they receive clear and accessible information to help navigate their lives in the UK.
We look forward to your prompt response.
Yours sincerely,
Regularise (coordinators)
University and College Union (UCU)
Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS)
Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
Pan-African Workers’ Association (PAWA)
Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU)
Kanlungan Filipino Consortium
Nanny Solidarity Network
Social Workers Union (SWU)
POMOC
Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB Union)
Work Rights Centre
United Voices of the World Trade Union (UVW)
Justice Is Not Seasonal
Refugee Workers Cultural Association
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
Southeast and East Asian Centre CIC
India Labour Solidarity (UK)
Fire Brigades Union (FBU)
The Voice of Domestic Workers
MIGRANTE UK
Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX)
Migrant Workers’ Rights Coalition
SWU has published a blog highlighting the devastating consequences that hostile rhetoric from the political class has on migrants in the UK. Migrant workers are a vital part of our communities, including the social work community, and hostile policies put them at increased risk of abuse and exploitation. SWU is proud to have campaigned with the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) for the rights of all migrant workers, especially people who are undocumented, and we are proud to stand with the Migrant Workers’ Rights Coalition.
You can download a copy of the open letter below: