What immigrants fear in the UK — and what the data actually shows

Everyone has their fears, and for those who have moved to live in the UK they often recur: facing hostility, losing legal status, not being accepted. To separate anxiety from reality, let us look not at rumour but at official numbers — Home Office statistics and research.

Fear of hostility and discrimination — what do the numbers say?

It exists, but it concerns a minority. According to the Migration Observatory (University of Oxford), in 2018-20 around 16% of migrants in Britain described themselves as part of a group facing discrimination. In 2020, 19% of foreign-born people reported discrimination against their group — against 40% among UK-born ethnic minorities. Among migrants, 19% had at some point felt unsafe because of their background, 15% had been insulted, 10% avoided certain places, and 1% reported being attacked. So most do not report discrimination, but for some the problem is real.

How common are hate crimes?

In the year to March 2025, police in England and Wales recorded 137,550 hate crimes (offences motivated by hostility to a group). Most were racial: 82,490 excluding the Metropolitan Police, which is 71% and up 6% on the year. Religious hate reached a record 10,065 including London. An important caveat: the rise partly reflects better reporting and recording — but the scale itself explains why the subject frightens people.

Fear over status: "what if I can't prove it?"

A separate worry is paperwork. The UK has moved to a digital immigration status (eVisa — online proof of the right to be in the country, replacing the old physical card). Status is now viewed and confirmed online through the government "view and prove your immigration status" service. Many are unnerved by depending on an account and the internet: the fear of "losing access to the proof of my right to live here" is among the most common complaints. The fix is simple and dull: keep your UKVI account access in order, update your contacts and passport, and generate a share code for an employer or landlord in advance.

What about housing and work?

Here too the anxiety rests on facts. Field experiments cited by the Migration Observatory found that, renting a room in London, invitations to view were 13 percentage points lower for people with non-British names and 20 points lower for names read as Muslim. For hiring, employer responses to identical CVs showed a similar pattern. It does not mean this happens everywhere, but it explains why applicants with foreign names feel nervous.

Where to turn if it happens

Fear shrinks when there is a clear plan. A hate crime can and should be reported to the police — on 101, 999 in danger, or online via the True Vision service. For discrimination at work, in housing or services, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the free Citizens Advice line can help. Knowing the law is on your side removes half the worry.