Hello Mr Prime MiniSter - A Poem by Elana

​I am living in this beautiful country England for 23 years.
I was here for the 9/11 Anniversary (2002)
I was here during London bombing which kills 52 people. (2005)
I was here when Usain Bolt from my country Jamaica broke many records at the London Olympics (2012)
I was here when Sir Anthony Blair was Prime Minister.
I was here with no children; I am now a mother of 2 British children.
I was here during some of the toughest snow storms.
Ohhh Yes Sir I was definitely here during Covid-19.
Mr. Prime Minister Sir
Why am I constantly having to renew my leave to remain every 2.5 years on the 10-year route?
Sir, why can't I attend university with my 2.5 years leave to remain?
Sir why do we keep having visa fee hikes,
Sir it was just February 2024 when we saw a massive NHS surcharge fee hike
We have not even recovered yet from that, and now again!
Another visa application fee hike?!
Sir, why am I still under the 10 years route?
Sir Prime Minister when am I going to stop asking why?

Author

Elana, a member of RAMFEL's lived experience group Freedom@10, wrote this poem in response to the March 2025 visa fee increase.