Growing Up In A Hostile Environment: The rights of undocumented migrant children in the UK

Public concern about immigration is currently at the highest level seen for a number of years. In May 2013, one poll found that 57% of those surveyed ranked ‘immigration’ among the top three most important issues currently facing Britain, a rise of 11% compared to when the question was asked 12 months previously.

In another poll, conducted in December 2012, 80% showed support for the current policy to reduce net migration and 67% perceived immigration as ‘having been a bad thing’ for Britain.

Even allowing for the uncertainties inherent in measuring public opinion, the evidence available clearly shows high levels of opposition to immigration in the UK, with the widely held belief that there are too many migrants in the UK, that fewer migrants should be let in, and that legal restrictions on immigration should be tighter.
 
A number of concerns stem from the perception that migrants claim benefi ts or use public services without having contributed in return, and are adding pressure on schools and hospitals.