A day in the life of an asylum hotel: inside the UK’s most controversial accommodation

The media often stigmatises asylum hotels – and they are sometimes physically attacked too. But behind closed doors are people who dream of work, wheels, security and the simple freedom to choose what they eat
Muhammad is from Afghanistan and has a lot to think about today. He has good news – he’s received his asylum decision and he can stay in the UK. But that has brought up a new problem: he will have to leave the budget hotel in Yorkshire where he has been living for months – and he has nowhere else to live.
Still, Muhammad has offered to introduce me to some of the other people who live here. I work part-time for the Refugee Council, which means I sometimes visit asylum hotels. They are strange, sad places that are misunderstood, targeted by protesters and even – for instance, last summer – physically attacked. This one is next to an overgrown riverbank. Many of the guests here are from war zones – you might recognise the names of their home towns from maps on the news. In most cases, they are not allowed to work.
Continue reading...Topics
-
Somali forces end a 24-hour siege by al-Shabab militants on a hotel, leaving all fighters dead
Somali officials say security forces have ended a 24-hour siege at a hotel in the central city of Beledwyne, leaving an unknown number of people dead, including all the al-Shabab militants who ...ABC News - 6d -
At least 6 killed in a militant attack on a hotel in Somalia
A car bomb has exploded at a hotel in the central Somali city of Beledweyne in a militant attack that killed at least six people, including two prominent traditional eldersABC News - Mar. 11 -
Nearly 42,000 UK asylum seekers waiting on appeal
Refugee Council said the number increased by five times in two years and those appealing still require accommodation.BBC News - 1d -
Homeland Security overhauls asylum phone app — now it's for 'self-deportation'
The Trump administration has overhauled a cellphone app once used to let migrants apply for asylumABC News - Mar. 10 -
What life is like for people living near the UK's longest-running roadworks
Decade-long delays to work on a bridge have led to it jokingly being ranked a town's top attraction.BBC News - Mar. 8 -
Asylum seekers housed 'unlawfully' at air base
Three men took the government to court over what they described as "prison-like" conditions.BBC News - 3d -
Exploited, recognised as a slavery victim, now facing deportation: one seafarer’s UK ordeal
After years of helping Scottish criminal investigations and despite fearing for his life in India, Vishal Sharma’s asylum claim has been rejected. When Vishal Sharma, an experienced merchant ...The Guardian - 3d -
Gabby Windey and Robby Hoffman are married. A firestorm and a fancy hotel room sealed the deal
Reality TV star Gabriela Windey and comic Robby Hoffman got married in Las Vegas in January, because what better way to spend a few days amid a firestorm.Los Angeles Times - Mar. 5 -
I’ve been a hospice nurse for 20 years—people often have these 4 confessions on their deathbed
Hospice nurse and palliative care professional Suzanne O'Brien, RN, shares the most common "deathbed regret confessions" she has heard throughout her career. Here's what we can learn from them ...CNBC - 52m
More from The Guardian
-
Israel shatters Gaza ceasefire as more than 400 Palestinians killed in IDF strikes – Middle East crisis live
Benjamin Netanyahu says attacks were carried out to ‘achieve war objectives’ as Hamas labels strikes a ‘blatant violation of humanitarian conventions’. Israeli strikes kill hundreds in Gaza ...The Guardian - 23m -
‘A nightmare come true’: Palestinians flee again after Israel’s attacks on Gaza
Thousands displaced once more as wave of airstrikes ends ceasefire, killing hundreds and raising new fears about aid. Middle East crisis – live updates Thousands of Palestinians were on the ...The Guardian - 27m -
World leaders express outrage at Israel’s renewed bombing of Gaza civilians
Strikes said to target Hamas killed hundreds within hours including women and children, undermining ceasefire. Middle East crisis – live updates World governments and UN officials have ...The Guardian - 3h -
Why has Israel resumed large-scale airstrikes on Gaza?
Officials claim attacks will bring release of more hostages, but some suggest political factors at play for Netanyahu. Middle East crisis – live updates Israel has resumed large-scale attacks ...The Guardian - 5h -
Germany passes huge spending package amid Ukraine fears as White House says Trump-Putin call ‘going well’ – Europe live
US and Russian presidents speak on phone as Bundestag votes to release a €500bn infrastructure fund to boost German defence. Trump and Putin to hold high-stakes call on Ukraine Speaking for ...The Guardian - 18m
More in World
-
Live Updates: Israel Carries Out Deadly Strikes in Gaza and Warns of Intensified Attacks
The assaults targeting Hamas killed more than 400 people, local officials said, and were the first major strikes in Gaza since both sides agreed to a truce in January.The New York Times - 7m -
Germany passes huge spending package amid Ukraine fears as White House says Trump-Putin call ‘going well’ – Europe live
US and Russian presidents speak on phone as Bundestag votes to release a €500bn infrastructure fund to boost German defence. Trump and Putin to hold high-stakes call on Ukraine Speaking for ...The Guardian - 18m -
Benefits crackdown ‘to save £5bn by 2030’, claims Liz Kendall as disability charities say cuts are ‘immoral’ – UK politics live
Work and pensions secretary says one in 10 people of working age are claiming sickness or disability benefit. Q: Why have you changed your mind on this? . Badenoch says she has not changed her ...The Guardian - 19m -
What is EV maker BYD and can its batteries really charge in five minutes?
The Chinese carmaker’s shares have jumped as investors speculated it could outdo Elon Musk’s Tesla. BYD says new charging system could be as quick as filling up a tank The leading Chinese ...The Guardian - 22m -
Israel shatters Gaza ceasefire as more than 400 Palestinians killed in IDF strikes – Middle East crisis live
Benjamin Netanyahu says attacks were carried out to ‘achieve war objectives’ as Hamas labels strikes a ‘blatant violation of humanitarian conventions’. Israeli strikes kill hundreds in Gaza ...The Guardian - 23m