The pitfalls of granting asylum on the basis of conversion to Christianity

SIR – As a churchwarden for 16 years, and with 20 years’ experience as an immigration judge, I would like to offer my thoughts regarding the granting of asylum on the basis of “conversion” to Christianity (report, February 5).

My experience of hearing appeals was that the process of assessing whether conversion had truly taken place was not only extraordinarily difficult, but also wide open to abuse. Any testing on the basis of knowledge of the Bible or of Christian teaching would be open to criticism that many Christians nowadays know comparatively little about their faith. On top of this is the fact that most asylum seekers relying on “conversion” speak little English. Any failure to answer questions accurately, or in any other way convey adherence to the new faith, would simply be attributed to being “lost in translation”.

Of course, these problems might be mitigated by the clergy and other church members who have, for wholly understandable reasons, sought to welcome such strangers. Unfortunately, however, too many appear to accept without any questioning whatever they are told.

Unpalatable though it may be to many in our churches, there has got to be a radical change of approach. Keith S H Miller

Barnard Castle, Co Durham

SIR – A few years ago my brother, who is British, and his American wife and her son had to live apart for 18 months (she and her son returned to America to live with her parents) while a permanent visa was arranged for them. With lawyer fees, the total amount they had to pay was almost £35,000. They met, married and lived in South Africa for five years before coming to live in the UK.

Now they are having to apply for “indefinite leave to remain in the UK” at a cost of almost £10,000 –£2,885 each for my sister-in-law and her son, both of whom are working and paying income tax and National Insurance, plus £2,000 for priority application and more legal fees. They also have to pay for a “Life in the UK” test.

Where is the fairness in this when people can arrive here illegally and be supported with somewhere to live and other benefits? Virginia Freeman

St Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex

SIR – One possible way to reduce the backlog in the asylum system (Leading Article, February 3) could be for the Home Office to invite retired caseworkers from the department to help.

Training could be provided, and the volunteers could work from home under remote supervision. I, for one, would be more than willing to step up, and I’m sure hundreds – if not thousands – of others would, too. Given my Home Office pension, I would not expect to be paid. Dr Gordon L Thomas

Worcester Park, Surrey