An asylum seeker has reveal what goes through your mind when you illegally enter the UK – and why you do it in the first place.
Danny phoned in the show and spoke to the hosts.
The news recently has been filled with stories of immigrants being turned away from European countries, and stories of immigrants coming to the UK.
Danny, who illegally entered the UK around 15 years ago now, revealed that it’s not for the “benefits” or free health care, it’s just for the chance at a better life for immigrants and their families.
He has now thanked Britain for treating him so well, after making the journey through France to England in 2005; he came via truck and organised the whole trip himself.
He said: “I’ve been through this journey myself. I came through France in 2005.
“The French don’t really look after the immigrants the way the British do. The French try to push you out of the country. When I was trying to come to the UK, they used to show us the lorries that came to the UK.
“The way the British handle the refugees and the rights that you have – I think that’s what’s happening with all the immigrants.
“These are not economic migrants, they are fleeing brutal dictatorships like myself. We had no choice. I never wanted to come to the UK, I never wanted to leave my country or my family.
“It’s very hard to come to a country where you don’t speak the language or know the culture. But sometimes you don’t have a choice. It’s a survival mechanism. There was a brutal dictator – you either do what they ask you to do or you end up in prison or get killed.”
He spoke on a show to make sure those who criticise immigrants know that all they want is a chance in life, and for those thinking of coming; what that entails.
He added: “Back home, nobody knows about the benefits system in the UK. People think that immigrants come here to claim benefits. I never knew about these things.
“You just want to make a life and survive. We don’t have a choice.”
Danny enjoys living in England, and has worked hard as a chef and taxi driver since his arrival.
