Windrush Scandal: Race, ETHNICITY and Migration

RACE, ETHNICITY AND MIGRATIONWINDRUSH CASE INTRODUCTION.3 MAIN BODY.4 Meaning of race, ethnicity and Migration .4 Migration in context to Windrush Scandal 5 Migration, ethnicity, race is regarded as controversial subjects 6 Critical discussion of the language used to describe the migration wave and the immigrants .7 Discuss the theory of citizenship and identity and how migration may be considered a threat to national identity or how the media may frame it7 Discussion on how and why a

RACE, ETHNICITY
AND MIGRATION-
WINDRUSH CASE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY.................................................................................................................................................4
Meaning of race, ethnicity and Migration...............................................................................................4
Migration Theory in context to Windrush Scandal..................................................................................5
Migration, ethnicity, race is regarded as controversial subjects..............................................................6
Critical discussion of the language used to describe the migration wave and the immigrants...............7
Discuss the theory of citizenship and identity and how migration may be considered a threat to
national identity or how the media may frame it....................................................................................7
Discussion on how and why a selected time frame was identified and relevance to its current
theoretical, policy or partical debates in relation to race, ethnicity and migration.................................8
Define the importance and relevance of subject citing any legal and social millstone that have resulted
from chosen subject................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION...........................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
In the year 2018, a disgraceful political scandal in the United Kingdom marked and
instigated an extreme injustice and ill-treatment of the Caribbean immigrants living in the
country from a long period of time. The immigration authorities of United Kingdom falsely
accused the Caribbean immigrates of living within the country in the name of hostile
environmental policies regulated by the same (Alvarez and et.al, 2019). The scandal came into
perspective when Jamaica High Commission proposed new policies and regulation relating to the
immigration requirement and procedures.
The Windrush generation can be characterized as the population that migrated in the
United Kingdom from various Caribbean states starting from the year 1948 to 1970.Since, these
individuals were considered as a prominent part of the British Commonwealth, they were
allowed to live as well as work in the country in an orderly manner. As per the modified changes,
Caribbean immigrants were no longer considered as legal citizens and were imposed as illegal
immigrants.
The major complexities started to begin when the Commonwealth citizens were restrained from
working and earning a livelihood in the concerned nation. In addition to that elderly citizens
were also denied access to the utilization of public services such as healthcare governmental
assistance and many more. Severe deportation threats were imposed at Caribbean immigrants
that further resulted in major frustration and anger within the community. The commonwealth
citizen were deprived their living rights and forcefully compelled to deport from the United
Kingdom. The respective citizen were constantly humiliated and treated in an unjust manner so
as to persuade them to leave United Kingdom. The government officials stooped a new low by
destroying and demolishing the legal proofs that the innocent people had of their citizenship by
misplacing the records and manipulating the cards and documents (Birchall, 2016). Along with
this, the home office of United Kingdom demanded commonwealth citizens to facilitate legal
format living proofs for the former years in order to state their legal citizenship. It further
resulted in turmoil and caused high stress in respect to the survival of commonwealth citizens in
the concerned nation.

The global society saw the incident as a discriminatory and inhuman practice reflecting
upon the political incompetency and dishonest agendas. The Windrush Scandal was termed as
failure of citizen laws and human rights within the United Kingdom. The media played as
significant part in showcasing the incident in the limelight and generating awareness about the
same. An extreme outrage and disbelief was expressed from various parts of the globe in regard
with the unfair treatment of the commonwealth citizens in the country. A wide level support was
generated from the global domain in order to stand up for the civil rights of the commonwealth
as well as facilitate much need empowerment to the same. The UK’s political system was
blamed and held responsible for the volatile acts and leading misconduct of innocent lives by the
global population as well. The report will highlight upon the in depth critical examination of the
Windrush Scandal so as to demonstrate a detailed understanding on the subject of migration and
the implication associated with the same.
MAIN BODY
Meaning of race, ethnicity and Migration
According to the earlier connotations, race was defined as term propounded to define the
concept that human beings are classified in to several distinctive groups as per their respective
heredity and lineage. It demonstrates the idea that different race groups possess different
behavioral and physical tendencies (Bosworth, Parmar and Vázquez, 2018). However, in the
recent era, the meaning of the term has been reformed into a sort of human made cultural
prospectus that reflects upon the particular beliefs, attitude and values of people belonging to
diverse population segments.
Ethnicity is an expression that reflects upon the determination of the individuals of their
concerned culture diversification. It diversifies people and groups on the basis of their music
tastes, languages, values, art culture, literature food choices, routine life etc.
It can be said that ethnicity highlights upon the culturally centered approach that is perceived and
presented within the society. It basically focuses on people’s cultural preferences more than a
general notion of the population.

Migration can be characterized as residential change that is permanent in nature. It may
be associated with a particular individuals or a set of group moving to other city, state or country.
The migration is generally stated as a permanent shift of place due to any possible reason that
involves individuals and groups changing their place of living (Brettell, 2017). The migration
can be further divided into internal as well as external. Internal migration focuses upon the
migrating within the respective country, while external migration involves leaving the current
nation and moving into international borders.
It can be sated that the former mentioned components i.e. race, ethnicity, migration plays
a significant part in the society as it tends to impact the perception drawn by people in context to
others. In case of Windrush incident, the background of the commonwealth citizens as well as
their migration process was demeaned and violated by the UK officials in an unjustified
mannerism.
Migration Theory in context to Windrush Scandal
Lee’s theory of migration can be termed as one of the most important theories that can be
helpful in defining the appropriate means of migration and the essential factors associated behind
the same. As per Lee’s opinion, each specific area has its own perks and pitfalls which severely
impacts upon the migrated. In reference to Windrush case, the pitfalls began to emerge when the
United Kingdom’s immigrant officials started targeting the commonwealth citizens in an
extremely harsh way.
Lee also propounded that there is always an uncertainty and ambiguity within the
migrated destination (Castañeda, 2017). The concerned factor seems to be so accurate in context
to the Windrush scandal, as the individuals could not have imagined in the worst of their
nightmares that their living in the country would become a national tension and would lead to
such a conflicting, unstructured and discriminated approach.
According to the respective theory, a balance of the advantages and drawbacks needs to
maintained before moving to a new place. In case of Windrush Scandal, the migrants were not
able to ascertain the negative implication associated with the future changes in the policies and

procedures of the political system in the United Kingdom. At the particular time of migration,
the Caribbean citizens could not have even thought of the negative complication that could arise
in the late future.
Moreover, the personal reasons of the migrants are also one of the factors which
contribute in their decision to migrate into a new area. Windrush generation considered the
Britain migration as source of growth and sustainability (Ellermann, 2020). They lived several
years in establishing themselves as prominent individuals in the country and integrating
themselves within the civilization of the same. Hence, it can be said that their respective decision
to the migration was an assimilation of all the above mentioned considerations which encouraged
them to move to the United Kingdom. However, the unethical, ignorant and inconsiderate policy
making as well as the political scenario of the United Kingdom resulted in a major obstacle for
the commonwealth citizens in the country.
Migration, ethnicity, race is regarded as controversial subjects
The prevalence of race, migration or ethnicity can be defined as the most controversial
attributes as they give rise to differentiation, discrimination and unequal consideration within the
society. It is quite evident that, even today in various parts of the world individuals are judged,
treated and perceived depending upon their race, background, culture is an extreme course of
concern. The respective elements have become very sensitive because the society has used and
relied upon the same in order to degrade and disrespect people in accordance to their requirement
ad willingness. Since, so many cases relating to racial and immigration discrimination has caught
the global eye, the individuals practicing the same have become careful towards their actions and
behaviors in the society. With the introduction of networking and social platforms, it has become
more feasible and viable or individuals to raise awareness about their migrant experiences,
treatment and other perspectives (Goodson and Grzymala-Kazlowska, 2017). It can be seen that
earlier voice of the minorities, races etc. were suppressed due to lack of support and awareness.
But today, these elements are regarded as conflicting as well as controversial subjects as people
have a powerful platform to communicate their concerns and acquire support from millions of
people across the world. For instance, the ill-treatment of Caribbean citizens became global
news with appropriate media exposure and network stimulation. The broadcast of the inequality

united individuals from various different parts of the world which lead to a huge controversy in
respect to United Kingdom’s dirty political and unfair use of power to restrict the commonwealth
migrants from their rights through inappropriate practices.
Critical discussion of the language used to describe the migration wave and the immigrants
The act from the British government campaign in the Caribbean countries led to the wave
of immigration. Over half a million people relocated from the Caribbean to the United Kingdom
between 1948 and 1970, when the country was suffering from severe massive unemployment in
the years of War. Later on, the immigrants were termed the Windrush generation.
As per the media reports, it can be seen that the language which has been used to describe
the scenario of the windrush case was in the favor of people and was not supporting the
government of UK for the policies and legal actions which were taken by the government. The
media highlighted the migration wave and immigrants in such a manner that they highlighted the
necessity of the people and how the people were treated by the government of UK.
As per the media reports, it can be see that due to the windrush case the immigrants and
migration wave was a major reason for unemployment, incline in detention center and more than
1,60,000 people signed the petition of government to grant an amnesty to the Windrush company
(Head, Klocker and Aguirre-Bielschowsky, 2019). The media portrayed that government
destroyed the landing cards which can be filled by the migrants on their arrival into Britain in
2010. As it can be seen that it was published in the media that the government of UK disposed
the landing cads which can be filled by the immigrants.
Discuss the theory of citizenship and identity and how migration may be considered a threat to
national identity or how the media may frame it
The citizenship was considered in three different classical conceptions, which were-
liberal theory of citizenship, communitarianism and republic tradition. A liberal citizenship
theory emphasizes each citizen's equality of rights and how these rights help the individual to
fulfil their aims and aspirations (Horsti and Pellander, 2015). This viewpoint is opposed by the

second hypothesis, communitarianism. According to communitarians, individuals do not exist
before the community. A third form of citizenship theory is the republican tradition. It creates a
significant focus on civic involvement as a means of furthering the common good.
As per the media reports, Migrants experience a number of stressors that can negatively
impact their mental health, including the loss of cultural norms, religious rites, and social support
networks, as well as cultural adjustment and identity and self-concept changes. Immigration is
commonly seen as a danger, threatening anything from national security to the welfare state and
job prospects. Most significantly, many individuals believe that immigration poses a threat to
national identity. In truth, while most immigration debates have focused on economic and social
issues, symbolic themes have a bigger influence on public opinion on immigration. Migration-
related threats to the national economy are not usually tied to nationalist sentiments. According
to the study, as racial and ethnic diversity grows, so does the ethnocentric reaction, which is
characterized by an increase in non-economic concerns.
Discussion on how and why a selected time frame was identified and relevance to its current
theoretical, policy or partical debates in relation to race, ethnicity and migration
A wave of Caribbean immigrants known as the Windrush generation arrived on British
beaches between 1948 and 1973. The name comes from the Empire Windrush, the first ship to
transport these immigrants to the United Kingdom, which landed on June 22, 1948. The ship had
a total of 1,027 people on board. Immigrants were brought to the UK to help with postwar labor
shortages. They came from the Caribbean islands of Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and others. A
significant political scandal emerged in April 2018, effectively diverting people's focus away
from Brexit for a while. Hundreds of Caribbean immigrants living and working in the UK were
unfairly targeted by immigration officials as a result of the government's "hostile environment"
policy (Koh, 2017). As a result, many elderly people were unable to work, have been prohibited
access to government services, and have been refused social benefits.

Define the importance and relevance of subject citing any legal and social millstone that have
resulted from chosen subject
The windrush scandal has created various legal and social millstone, some of these
millstone and their importance are discussed below:
 A specialized task team will be formed to assist people who have been affected.
 For anybody from the Windrush generation or their kids "who are in the UK" who wishes
to apply for naturalization, the Home Office will waive the citizenship fee and the
requirement to complete a Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK exam (Kootstra,
2016).
 Government will ensure that people who have made their homes in the UK but have now
retired to their home country will be able to return, with all related costs reimbursed.
 Government will create a new compensation programme for those who have incurred
losses.
 They intend to construct a new customer service center to help consumers obtain the
information they seek.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be summarized that this debate has emerged for a variety of
reasons. The "root cause" may be traced back to laws passed in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s,
some of which were widely seen to have racially motivated intentions at the time. In both
individual incidents and the formulation of related policy and law as a whole, accurate records
were not preserved. Even the department's experts struggled to understand the implications of
recurrent changes in the law and how they interacted with changes in the UK-Caribbean
relationship, as well as the impact those changes had on people's status in the UK. Opportunities
to correct earlier legislation's discriminatory consequences were either overlooked or pushed
further. Individuals in charge of the 1987 registration campaign claimed in papers at the time that
the advertising were designed to be informative rather than “stimulate a food of inquiries.”

According to advertising brochures from the time, there would be no consequences if people did
not register at the time. It's natural that some individuals were unaware of the situation.
This should have been recognized as a threat that would negatively affect the Windrush
generation. The impact studies for the 2013 and 2015 Immigration Bills made the error of
presuming that those who were in the country without the ability to prove it with particular
documents were here unlawfully, which resulted in the hostile environment policy. When the
government realized in 2017 that there could be an established but undocumented community, it
wasted no time figuring out who they were.
Issues
 A guarantee of compensation (or British citizenship) is useless only if it is followed by a
comprehensive description of how the individual may prove their rights.
 The administration is still considering denying migrants access to personal data held by
the Home Office.
Recommendations
 To ensure that the government, especially the Government Office, better understands and
acknowledges what went wrong, the magnitude of the injustice and its repercussions, as
well as their own failings.
 To focus on maintaining and increasing current support for those affected by the scandal,
particularly non-Caribbean countries.
 Evaluate and reduce the Windrush generation's risk of being exposed to a hostile
environment.
 To work with stakeholders and communities to develop, implement, and evaluate policy
in a meaningful way.
 To get a better knowledge of the public sector equality requirement (PSED) and how it
relates to immigration and nationality law, as well as to provide internal training on the
topic.
 The commissioner would be in charge of connecting with migrants and communities, as
well as serving as a human rights advocate, in order to identify any systematic flaws and

engage with the government and the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and
Immigration (ICIBI) to address them.
 The government should re-educate itself on the current scope and implications of
immigration and nationality legislation, as well as work to retain its institutional memory.
It may do so by ensuring that its personnel are well-versed in the history of immigration
policy, fostering expertise inside the department, and doing historical research when
considering new laws.
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