I got an invitation to attend an important event called “Assisted Voluntary Return”. I was invited to this event by a charity organisation called Association of British Nigerian Law Enforcement officers (ABLE).
This organisation is renowned for consistently working towards reversing the unflattering negative image often-labelled on Nigerians in Diaspora. They have been doing this for years by working in partnership with British and Nigerian Government Agencies.
This organisation is populated and run by Nigerian professionals working in various UK Law Enforcement Agencies, from Metropolitan Police to HMRC to Border Forces etc.
This Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) event was organised by ABLE in collaboration with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the UK Border Agency (UKBA), the Nigerian High Commission (NHC).
We had representatives from all the aforementioned in attendance as well as a representative from Choices (a charity organisation saddled with the responsibility of administering the AVR scheme), who all contributed and enlightened the attendees about the benefits of this AVR scheme.
I chose to write about this event primarily because it is a scheme that is geared towards giving Immigrants the choice of returning home with dignity instead of allowing themselves to be apprehended, detained and subsequently deported in handcuffs accompanied by escorts. Another reason is that anything that has to do with the welfare of Immigrants is a subject that is very close to my heart.
The event, like I said, was held last weekend at Lister Hall along Lister Road , London E11 3DA
It was very enlightening as there was a Questions and Answer session. It was generally an eye-opening event that I would recommend for any Immigrant in the UK to attend when next it is organised.
To those people that I invited to accompany me but turned down the invitation fearing that the event was a set up to round up illegal immigrants and ship them home. I make bold to say that I hung around at a secret location after the event to observe and nothing of such happened. I am sure that many of those that attended the event to attest to this fact.
I am saying this now so that we can all re-tune our mindset and keep our eyes and ears open to be able to absorb new ideas that would benefit us. It’s no gain saying the fact that many of our people have lost out of gaining vital knowledge and information because of unfounded fear and outdated sentiments.
Though the AVR scheme set up by the UK government is meant for all Immigrants in the UK irrespective of country of origin, but this particular AVR event by ABLE is aimed at Nigerians in the UK and is meant to:
- Raise awareness of the benefits of the Assisted Voluntary Return scheme;
- Encourage participation of Nigerian communities in disseminating this information and
- Highlight other initiatives in
The AVR scheme is designed for all Migrants (including Asylum seekers) who have exhausted all appeal options and failed as well as the so-called illegal immigrants with no leave to remain in the UK
The bottom line of this scheme – which I find interesting - is to accord Migrants a choice of returning home with their dignity intact and, in some cases, with a bit of financial incentive to help their reintegration back in their home country.
Mr. Steve Hall of the AVR Team, UK Border Agency spoke extensively about the benefits of this scheme especially how AVR is a better option for Migrants than an enforced return. I am reproducing hereunder an excerpt from the paper he presented so that readers can make up their minds on which option to take.
Enforcement versus Assisted Voluntary Return
| Enforced Removal | Assisted Voluntary Return |
| May have little notice from the time they become removable. | Dates of departure are agreed with returnees. |
| May face the prospect of being arrested with a view to detaining them pending removal. | Individuals agreeing to return voluntarily will not subsequently be detained for removal. |
| In some circumstances, escorts will accompany the person being removed until they reach the country of return. | Escorts do not accompany returnees on their journey from the |
What is Assisted Voluntary Return?
3 Options for leaving the UK
- Leave the
- Leave the
- Leave the
- Visible enforcement action/detention;
- Security and political situations in countries of return;
- Family dynamics and the desire for reunification;
- Life in
- If not detained, 3 months in which to prepare to permanently return;
- Return with dignity as normal passenger;
- Journey all the way home;
- In some cases financial support (AVRFC, VARRP);
- Supports micro-economy of receiving country;
- A positive solution to unrealistic expectations of life in the
- Savings to UKBA and public services;
- The best option.
VARRP – the scheme for asylum seekers
Open to asylum seekers or failed asylum seekers of any nationality (apart from UK
Assistance
- Provides support in acquiring travel documentation;
- Flight to country of origin and onward domestic transport;
- Airport assistance at departure and arrival airports;
- Reintegration assistance (£500 cash + £1000 in kind).
AVRFC – reintegration/eligibility similar to VARRP
- One/both parents or guardians plus at least one child under 18 years;
- Or, unaccompanied children under 18 years;
- Irregular migrants or asylum seekers.
- Other family members under 18 considered under VARRP or AVRIM (Voldep);
- Each family member gets reintegration;
- £500 cash + £1500 in kind per AVRFC family member.
AVRIM – the scheme for irregular migrants
Assists irregular migrants – illegal entrants, trafficked people, smuggled people, overstayers – of any nationality (apart from UK, Swiss or EEA nationals) to return to their country of origin with dignity.
Assistance
- Provides support in acquiring travel documentation;
- Flight to country of origin and onward domestic transport;
- Airport assistance at departure and arrival airports;
- No reintegration assistance.
AVR – use of reintegration assistance
- Children’s clothes shop (rental for premises, stock purchase);
- Beverage sales (purchase of initial stock – own premises);
- Fabric Sales (Wholesale to market traders);
- Construction materials (iron rods no storage problems – plans for transport;
- Barbers 9experience in
- Minibus (mechanics experience – employs conductor);
- Tractor (Construction delivery rather than agriculture – employs part-time driver).
AVR – advantages of the programmes
- Enforcement action will not be taken leading up to departure;
- Deal entirely with Choices, not UKBA;
- 3 months preparation time (unless detained);
- Depart with dignity as a normal passenger;
- Advice support for all;
- Financial support for VARRP and VARFC;
- Eligibility criteria publicly available – honesty best policy;
- It’s voluntary!
- AVR is often the best option to return home for those with no permanent right to stay in the
- Anyone interested may contact Choices – who administer the scheme – on 0800 800 0007 (Freephone including from mobiles);
- Contact with Choices is in confidence – they are not part of UK Border Agency.
For more information you can email me at jkadebola@hotmail.com or reach ABLE at Mayfair House, 14 – 18 Heddon Street , London W1B 4DA
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