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Panel night will discuss immigration issues

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By Amanda Kennedy
Dumfries and West

STARTING a local and national debate on what future Scottish immigration policy could look like - that’s the aim of a Dumfries meeting taking place this month.

As part of this year’s Scottish Refugee Festival, One Day Without Us – Dumfries and Galloway are organising a panel discussion event at The Usual Place on June 26.

They have invited representatives from all the main political parties to explain their party’s current stance on immigration issues and to listen to the concerns and views of people, immigrant and non-immigrant, living in this region.

Discussing the event, co-organiser Chris Gilligan, said: “Scotland has very different immigration needs from England, as we have a more elderly population and a greater demand for nurses and other health care workers. Dumfries and Galloway is particularly affected by this because the region has a higher than average elderly population.”

He added: “Brexit, which a majority of people in Scotland voted against, has introduced a lot of uncertainty in this area.

“The Westminster Government has also created uncertainty for EU citizens living in the UK by not giving them any guarantees that they will be allowed to remain in the UK post-Brexit. These EU citizens are people that we know in Dumfries and Galloway. They are dentists and care workers; they are neighbours, work colleagues and friends.

“They are human-beings.”

The Dumfries event is part of the annual Scottish Refugee Festival, organised by the Scottish Refugee Council.

It is supported by the Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association and Massive Outpouring of Love: Dumfries and Galloway Refugee Action.

The event is free, but tickets should be booked in advance via Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-human-centred-immigration-policy-for-scotland-tickets-35386735679

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