Residents living near a hotel being used to house asylum seekers have hit out at anti-immigration leaflets put through their letterboxes. The hotel, in north Cardiff, was closed in early September so it could be used as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
Since then, local residents have reported anti-immigration leaflets being dropped through their doors which make reference to "illegal migrants" being put up in hotels.
An asylum seeker is an immigrant who has been forcibly displaced and might have fled their home country because of war or other factors harming them or their family. They are often vulnerable and targeted by criminal gangs and traffickers.
READ MORE: Cardiff hotel to close to provide accommodation for asylum seekers
One resident who lives nearby said: "People have gone hysterical saying all sorts of rubbish, like that there’s going to be more crime and lower house prices because of this." He expressed his frustration at people who say things like "they should be helping people in this country," but added: "There have been some very generous supportive people who are going out of their way to support [the asylum seekers]."
One resident said: "I think I had a leaflet and I put it in the bin," whilst another said, "I haven't had one, but I would put it in the bin."
The leaflet states it was printed by a far-right white nationalist group, Patriotic Alternative, which is characterised by Hope not Hate as "the UK's largest fascist organisation". The leaflet by the England-based organisation itself starts by talking about "illegal" migrants and asks why "homeless ex-servicemen" aren't housed in hotels. It adds that "indigenous" people need to be prioritised and makes claims about whether the asylum seekers are genuinely in need.
One resident said: "I think it’s ridiculous, people saying Wales is full. It’s not nice seeing how divided the country has become.
"It’s a shame, that sort of attitude… if anything ever happened with us [in Wales] I’d like to think people would welcome us with open arms."
Another said she'd spoken to a few of the asylum seekers living in the hotel, adding: "I spoke to one gentleman and his wife and asked them how they’ve settled in, and they were very nice. They must be very desperate to pack up their lives at home and come here and I’ve got no problem with them."
One pointed out: "The leaflets weren’t particularly well put together. Someone’s knocked it together in Powerpoint. I’m on the pro-immigration side. I’d say the majority are for it."
A spokesperson for South Wales Police confirmed the police had received a complaint regarding the leaflets. Several residents expressed their support for the people staying in the hotel, with only two saying they opposed it
A local councillor commented: "This leaflet is completely unrepresentative of our community, where people always look out for each other, regardless of nationality or race. The fact they are being posted by people from outside of the ward proves this.
"We are a proud city and nation of sanctuary, and, in recent weeks, I've seen for myself how brilliantly this community rallies round to welcome people fleeing terror and war."
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said: "Wales is proud to be a Nation of Sanctuary and firmly believe in the integration of asylum seekers from day one of their arrival in Wales. The skills, experience and resilience of refugees and asylum seekers enhance our communities and we are proud to extend the welcome and support their ambitions to thrive in Wales. This is what being a Nation of Sanctuary is all about."
The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
READ NEXT:
