Local Resident Defends Migrants Amid Anti-Immigration Protests

Anti-immigration protests are set to take place in Kent this Saturday, targeting the Napier Barracks in Folkestone. Local resident Jacqueline Durban has spoken out against the growing hostility toward migrants living at the former Ministry of Defence site, asserting that they have integrated into the community and should not be “scapegoated.”

In recent years, the narrative surrounding immigration has often been dominated by fearmongering and misinformation. Durban, who has lived in Folkestone for several years, highlights the human side of the situation, emphasizing her positive experiences with the migrant community. She lives just minutes away from the barracks, which currently houses approximately 450 men awaiting the assessment of their asylum claims.

Durban recalls a welcoming festival organized by local residents when the migrants first arrived. “It was a beautiful, positive gathering,” she stated. The event featured activities such as volleyball and football, fostering connections between locals and migrants. Participants exchanged cultural dances, showcasing a spirit of unity rather than division.

She describes how the men, permitted to leave the barracks, frequently engage with the local community. “They often play football on that field, and I feel safer there than I did before,” Durban noted. She recounts instances of mutual assistance, including help from the men when her neighbors’ dog was lost and kindness shown to her during her own challenging moments.

Inside the barracks, the migrants have initiated lessons to share their skills. Those with teaching backgrounds have volunteered to educate others, while others contribute to community gardening projects. Their efforts have helped harvest fruits and vegetables for local schools and food charities, preventing much from going to waste. “They enrich the fabric of our lives, or would if we let them,” Durban remarked, emphasizing the benefits of their presence.

Durban also shared her experience at her church, where two migrants attended services for a year. One Christmas, a man read Bible verses in Farsi. “It was one of the most beautiful and deeply moving things I have ever heard,” she recalled. Such moments illustrate the profound connections formed between the migrant community and local residents.

Despite these positive interactions, the treatment of migrants within the UK system raises concerns. While they receive basic meals in the barracks, they are allocated only £9 per week for other expenses. Additionally, migrants often receive abrupt notifications of transfers to distant locations without the opportunity to see their families. “One man who came to our church had a wife and young children living in the north of England. He wasn’t allowed to visit them,” Durban explained, highlighting the emotional toll of such policies.

The timeline of Napier Barracks reflects ongoing challenges. Opened in 2020 for asylum seekers under the Conservative government due to rising hotel costs, the site has faced legal scrutiny. In 2022, a High Court ruling deemed the accommodation unlawful and inadequate, prompting a legal challenge by six asylum seekers. Originally scheduled for closure in September 2025, the barracks are now set to remain operational until early 2026, after which they will be transferred for housing development.

Durban argues against allowing fear and misinformation to dictate public sentiment. “Shame on anyone who allows themselves to be used and manipulated to hate,” she stated. Her heartfelt account serves as a reminder of the shared humanity that exists within local communities, regardless of origin, and underscores the necessity for compassion in the current climate.

As protests continue in Kent, Durban’s message is clear: “I will not stand by and allow my neighbors, members of my community, to be scapegoated.” The ongoing dialogue surrounding immigration reflects broader societal attitudes, emphasizing the need for understanding and empathy as communities navigate these complex issues.