SERI raises concerns over Home Affairs’ immigration White Paper

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The Director of Litigation at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI), Jason Brickhill has raised concerns about the White Paper on citizenship, immigration, and refugee legislation that was published by the Department of Home Affairs last year.

The White Paper was introduced to establish a process for foreign nationals to obtain residency and citizenship in South Africa. Last month, the department opened submissions for the public to make comments.

Brickhill says the draft of this policy framework was rushed and there are no proper facts in the White Paper. He says they have taken measures against this.

“We have made our submissions alongside other civil society organisations. We say that it’s unconstitutional for that to take away socio-economic rights from migrants and refugees. And we also say that the department needs the White Paper to deal with xenophobia. So we have made our suggestions but our position at this stage is that we need to go back to the drawing board on this White Paper, there needs to be a proper process of consultation.”

H. Affairs draft White Paper on Citizenship and Immigration faces criticism: Jason Brickhill