Why the UK's toughest immigration voices are often politicians of colour

"He was articulating a view that has become increasingly central to British immigration politics. The UK's first ethnic minority home secretary said he opposed admitting unskilled workers and those who do not speak English. By his own criteria, neither his father, who arrived as an unskilled worker, nor his mother, who did not speak English, would have been permitted to settle in the country."

"Promoting his memoir, The Colour of Time, Javid was unambiguous: immigration must fall, English-language requirements should be tougher, and entry should be limited to skilled workers. Far from being exceptional, Javid's position points to a broader and increasingly visible pattern in British politics. Some of the most prominent anti-immigration positions of recent years have been articulated by ethnic minority politicians."

Ethnic minority politicians increasingly front restrictive UK immigration policies, linking race and political legitimacy in the immigration debate. Sajid Javid said he would not allow people like his parents to enter the United Kingdom today and opposed admitting unskilled workers and those who do not speak English. Javid advocated lower immigration, tougher English-language requirements, and skilled-only entry. Since 2018, the Home Office has repeatedly been held by ethnic minority home secretaries who advanced tougher approaches. Policies included a points-based immigration system and the Rwanda asylum plan. Rhetoric grew more punitive even as overall immigration numbers rose.

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