Life in limbo: The uncertain future of Britain's migrant communities
For many migrants living in the UK, the prospect of Brexit and its consequences is a constant source of anxiety. With Reform UK soaring in the polls, concerns are growing about the impact on immigration policies - including the abolition of indefinite leave to remain.
The government has announced plans to raise the salary threshold for skilled worker visas to around £60,000 a year, significantly higher than the current figure of £41,700. This would make it even harder for low-skilled workers to move to the UK and live on lower salaries.
One doctor who may be affected by these changes is Jinnie Shin. As an emergency medicine registrar at the Princess Alexandra hospital in Harlow, Essex, she has made significant sacrifices to help the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with Reform's plans to abolish indefinite leave to remain, Shin wonders if she will be able to build a long-term future in Britain.
"The salary threshold for skilled workers is going to devastate the NHS," Shin said. "It's going to cull doctors who will eventually become consultants and destroy the foot soldiers of the NHS."
Shin is not alone. Sid Shyamsundar, an engineer living in Bury Greater Manchester, also fears that the changes could have a devastating impact on his future.
"2025 has been the hardest year I've had to face," he said. "The reminders that your life may be temporary are a constant drain on your mental health."
Shyamsundar and his wife are struggling to plan for their future in Britain, as they await news of whether they will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
"We have integrated fully into British society and British life," said Douna Haj Ahmed, a Syrian refugee who works for a multiple sclerosis charity. "The relationships I have formed have become the foundation of my sense of belonging."
However, with Reform's plans to abolish indefinite leave to remain, Ahmed fears that her future in Britain is under threat.
"This policy undermines a sense of stability for us, which is essential to integration," she said.
Sayali Wandhekar, a designer living in Camden London, also faces uncertainty about her future in Britain. With the salary threshold for skilled worker visas set to rise, Wandhekar fears that she may be forced to rethink her plans and potentially return to her native India.
"It restricts my freedom," Wandhekar said. "I have friends who are engineers, in finance and consulting - highly skilled jobs. If they were to move back to other countries, then we are going to see fewer people in those workplaces."
The prospect of Brexit and its consequences is a constant source of anxiety for many migrants living in the UK. With Reform UK soaring in the polls, concerns are growing about the impact on immigration policies - including the abolition of indefinite leave to remain.
For Jinnie Shin, Sid Shyamsundar, Douna Haj Ahmed, and Sayali Wandhekar, the future is uncertain - but one thing is clear: their lives have been built on a fragile foundation.
For many migrants living in the UK, the prospect of Brexit and its consequences is a constant source of anxiety. With Reform UK soaring in the polls, concerns are growing about the impact on immigration policies - including the abolition of indefinite leave to remain.
The government has announced plans to raise the salary threshold for skilled worker visas to around £60,000 a year, significantly higher than the current figure of £41,700. This would make it even harder for low-skilled workers to move to the UK and live on lower salaries.
One doctor who may be affected by these changes is Jinnie Shin. As an emergency medicine registrar at the Princess Alexandra hospital in Harlow, Essex, she has made significant sacrifices to help the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with Reform's plans to abolish indefinite leave to remain, Shin wonders if she will be able to build a long-term future in Britain.
"The salary threshold for skilled workers is going to devastate the NHS," Shin said. "It's going to cull doctors who will eventually become consultants and destroy the foot soldiers of the NHS."
Shin is not alone. Sid Shyamsundar, an engineer living in Bury Greater Manchester, also fears that the changes could have a devastating impact on his future.
"2025 has been the hardest year I've had to face," he said. "The reminders that your life may be temporary are a constant drain on your mental health."
Shyamsundar and his wife are struggling to plan for their future in Britain, as they await news of whether they will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
"We have integrated fully into British society and British life," said Douna Haj Ahmed, a Syrian refugee who works for a multiple sclerosis charity. "The relationships I have formed have become the foundation of my sense of belonging."
However, with Reform's plans to abolish indefinite leave to remain, Ahmed fears that her future in Britain is under threat.
"This policy undermines a sense of stability for us, which is essential to integration," she said.
Sayali Wandhekar, a designer living in Camden London, also faces uncertainty about her future in Britain. With the salary threshold for skilled worker visas set to rise, Wandhekar fears that she may be forced to rethink her plans and potentially return to her native India.
"It restricts my freedom," Wandhekar said. "I have friends who are engineers, in finance and consulting - highly skilled jobs. If they were to move back to other countries, then we are going to see fewer people in those workplaces."
The prospect of Brexit and its consequences is a constant source of anxiety for many migrants living in the UK. With Reform UK soaring in the polls, concerns are growing about the impact on immigration policies - including the abolition of indefinite leave to remain.
For Jinnie Shin, Sid Shyamsundar, Douna Haj Ahmed, and Sayali Wandhekar, the future is uncertain - but one thing is clear: their lives have been built on a fragile foundation.
THEY'RE FACING AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE JUST BECAUSE OF BREXIT AND THE GOVERNMENT'S PLANS 
. IT'S NOT FAIR THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH A HIGHER SALARY THRESHOLD FOR SKILLED WORKER VISAS, WHICH WILL MAKE IT HARD FOR THEM TO SUCCEED IN THEIR CAREERS 
. I MEAN, WHO CAN BLAME THEM FOR WANTING TO BUILD A LONG-TERM FUTURE IN BRITAIN?! 
IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE ASKING FOR A FREE RIDE OR ANYTHING... THEY JUST WANT TO LIVE AND WORK PEACEFULLY WITHOUT THE CONSTANT FEAR OF THEIR STATUS BEING REVOKED 
.
they deserve better than to be treated like their contributions arent valued 
these ppl have put so much faith in the uk system and now its being ripped away from them 
... I think the government should just scrap these plans altogether and make sure everyone's future is secure 
. But at the same time, I'm worried that if they don't raise the salary threshold, it'll attract more low-skilled workers who might not be contributing to society as much... or maybe they will? 
it's not just about the individuals affected, but about the ripple effect on communities and the country as a whole. are we creating an environment where people feel valued, or are we pushing them to the fringes? 
and what does this say about our sense of belonging? is it tied to paperwork and visas, or can we find a way to make it more human-centered? 
, all these talented ppl are gonna be forced to leave bc of some politics 
. i mean, who benefits from this? reform uk? they're just gonna make things harder for good people who wanna live in the uk and contribute. but it's not just about the money, it's about stability and security 
. we need to think about the ppl who are gonna be affected by this 
they'll be lucky if they can even get a visa let alone live in the uk with their families. NHS needs doctors like jinnie shin more than ever 
but now she's worried about her future? what kind of message are we sending to our healthcare workers by making them feel like they're not worth it 
but at what cost? we should be welcoming people from all over the world with open arms, not pushing them out 
. raising the salary threshold to £60k is insane, especially for low-skilled workers who are already struggling to make ends meet. I get that they want to attract high-skilled workers, but is this really the best way to do it? 
. I'm no expert, but it seems like this policy could lead to a brain drain of epic proportions. Let's hope something changes before it's too late 
what if they have to leave the UK? it's like reform uk is trying 2 punish ppl 4 wanting a better life 
the NHS needs doctors like Jinnie Shin, engineers like Sid Shyamsundar, charity workers like Douna Haj Ahmed and designers like Sayali Wandhekar – they're the backbone of our communities! 
they're not just numbers or stats, they're human beings with families & dreams 
about their future, especially when they've built a life here 
what's the point of having a country if we're not gonna support our own? 
. raising the salary threshold for skilled worker visas to £60,000 could be seen as beneficial for some, but it also puts many low-skilled workers at risk 
I'm getting really worried about our migrant friends living in the UK 
And let's not forget that the salary threshold for skilled worker visas will disproportionately affect those who are already struggling to make ends meet.