Sussex PCC: Asylum Seekers & Electronic Tags – Controversy Explained

(2025-12-29 14:51:00) – A migrant charity has criticized the practice of tagging asylum seekers, arguing it is indeed both punitive and financially inefficient.

Ramfel, a migrant charity, stated that tagging individuals seeking asylum who have not been accused of a crime is “cruel, punitive,” and diverts public funds to private companies.

• Ramfel asserts that tagging asylum seekers not accused of crimes is “cruel and punitive.”
• The charity contends the practice redirects public money to private companies.
• Ramfel suggests granting asylum seekers the right to work would reduce costs and potentially lower crime.

Ramfel stated that tagging people seeking asylum when they are not accused of a crime is “cruel, punitive and will simply funnel yet more public money into the hands of private companies.”

Did you know? – Electronic monitoring of asylum seekers began increasing in the UK in 2021, with the Home Office citing it as a means to manage arrivals and ensure compliance with immigration rules. The practice has expanded considerably since then.

The charity further suggested that allowing asylum seekers to work while their claims are processed would be a more effective approach. “If the government is serious about saving public funds and reducing crime, they should grant people seeking asylum the right to work whilst their claims are being processed,” Ramfel said.

According to Ramfel, granting work rights would enable asylum seekers to enter the formal labor market, support themselves financially, and lessen the need for government-funded housing in facilities such as hotels and army barracks.

Why It matters

This criticism highlights an ongoing debate about the treatment of asylum seekers and the financial implications of different policy approaches. Ramfel’s statement challenges the current strategy of tagging, framing it as both ethically questionable and economically unsound. The charity’s proposal to grant work rights offers an alternative that could potentially address both humanitarian concerns and budgetary pressures.

Pro tip – Allowing asylum seekers to work is not a new idea. Several European countries, including Germany and Sweden, already permit asylum seekers to access their labor markets after a certain period.

The debate over asylum seeker policies is notably relevant as governments grapple with increasing numbers of people seeking refuge and the associated logistical and financial challenges.

Why: Ramfel, a migrant charity, criticized the UK government’s practice of tagging asylum seekers who have not been accused of any crime. The charity argues the practice is both ethically wrong and a waste of taxpayer money.

Who: Ramfel, a UK-based migrant charity, is the primary voice raising concerns. The UK Home Office is the government body implementing the tagging policy. Asylum seekers arriving in the UK are directly affected.

What: The core issue is the electronic tagging of asylum seekers. Ramfel contends this is a punitive measure that diverts funds to private companies contracted for monitoring services.they propose granting asylum seekers the right to work as a more cost-effective and humane solution.

How did it end?: As of December 29, 2025, the situation remains unresolved. Ramfel has publicly voiced its criticism, but ther has been no immediate policy change from the UK government. The debate is ongoing, with the charity continuing to advocate for alternative approaches. The long-term outcome remains to be seen, dependent on government response and public discourse.