As Reform UK rises in the polls, its proposed immigration policies threaten the lives of thousands of migrants who have built careers and families in Britain. The party has pledged to abolish indefinite leave to remain, requiring non-UK citizens to repeatedly apply for visas with higher salary thresholds, potentially set at £60,000 a year.
Among those affected is Shin, a US-born doctor who came to the UK in 2015 and worked through the Covid pandemic as an NHS registrar. Despite being eligible for indefinite leave to remain, she questions whether to pay the high application fees given Reform's pledge to rescind settled status if elected. She fears the proposed salary threshold would devastate the NHS, as many doctors earn below £60,000.
Shin describes the trauma of working 12-hour shifts during Covid, seeing more death in two weeks than in her entire career, and being separated from family for 18 months. She now faces an uncertain future, noting an increase in microaggressions towards ethnic minority doctors and feeling less welcome in the UK.
Reform's policies also include extending the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain to 10 years, mirroring Labour's plans. Critics argue this 'death by a thousand cuts' approach could force out skilled workers who have made significant contributions to the country.
