Yes, shockingly, this is about UK immigration.
The (tweaked) post title comes from Shakespeare's Henry VI, part 2 in a coversation between Jack Cade and henchman, Dick 'The Butcher', in scene 2 of Act IV. There are various literary takes on this line, but a contemporary (Guardianista) focus might look at it as "back-hand praise of how lawyers confront the tribalism, partisanship and herd mentality to thwart mob violence in the public sphere of society." (Wikipedia, obvs).
There is a recent FB post by the "Community Integration and Advocacy Centre", based in Hull, UK; Charity Commission No: 1170984, who are apparently immigration lawyers, and - you'll be shocked to learn - are strongly pro-immigration. They decided to dump the following spew on Facebook to be shared with their many lawyer friends, so I thought it fair game to Robert Fisk the living hell out out it:
1. “Asylum seekers are illegal immigrants.”Strawman! Not all asylum seekers are illegal immigrants. That said, illegal immigrants (economic migrants, criminals seeking cover and overs) very often pretend to be asylum seekers. This is facilitated by willing UK lawyers (q.v.)
❌ Seeking asylum is not illegal and this includes any person seeking sanctuary who may arrive in a small boat. Seeking asylum is a legal right under the 1951 Refugee Convention.
2. “They’re just here to claim benefits.”Gosh, living in a 3-4 star hotel in UK with living support and ability to work under the table must be terrible compared to life in Nigeria.
❌ Asylum seekers cannot access normal benefits. They receive only minimal support (about £6 a day) and usually cannot work.
3. “The UK takes in more asylum seekers than anyone else.”Strawman: island. Come on, you're not even trying.
❌ The UK receives fewer asylum seekers than many countries, including Germany, France, and Lebanon.
4. “Most asylum claims are fake.”Strawman! Immigration lawyers continue to validate immigration petitions and ongoing appeals, and Santa's elves continue to vote for Christmas.
❌ Almost half of claims are granted at the first stage, and many appeals are successful, showing the system recognises genuine cases.
5. “Asylum seekers are a burden.”Cultural diversity like... blowing up kids at an Ariana Grande concert? We already have skilled immigration outreach for the NHS, and I would venture to say that the UK has enough Indian restaurants, delivery drivers, phone thieves, and Turkish barbers.
❌ Refugees contribute skills, resilience, and cultural diversity. Once allowed to work, they support local economies and communities.
6. “They should just apply from abroad.”And also allows them to apply from France/Germany etc. Where it's easier to deny, hence the "I'm already here!" gambit.
❌ Safe legal routes are extremely limited. International law allows people to apply once they reach the UK.
7. “They’re all young men.”Strawman! They're dominated by young men. And what's the legal family reunion rate?
❌ Women, children, and families also seek asylum. Young men often travel first because the journey is too dangerous for vulnerable family members.
8. “They get housing ahead of locals.”3* or 4* hotels much preferred to council B+B. How about we rehouse them in the wilds of Scotland?
❌ Asylum seekers cannot choose where they live. They are housed in temporary accommodation and do not take priority over council housing lists.
9. “They must stay in the first safe country.”They know from relatives and friends that the UK is a soft touch. And their language skills aren't evident, are they?
❌ International law does not require this. Many seek safety in the UK because of family, language, or community connections.
10. “We need to protect our women and children from asylum seekers.”Let's revisit Southport, the Manchester Arena, and these lawyers definitely need to be the first up against the wall.
❌ This claim plays on fear, but there is NO evidence that asylum seekers are more likely to commit crimes than the general population. People seeking sanctuary are often women and children fleeing violence, seeking the same protection and safety we want for our own families.
