Join us on 17 November 2026 (11.30am-4:30pm) in Westminster when HIAS+JCORE, JPIT, and René Cassin are bringing together people from across the country to stand up for refugees in Parliament.
The Government is introducing sweeping restrictions to the legal status and rights of refugees, representing some of the biggest changes since the UK signed the Refugee Convention in 1951. Together, these reforms risk separating families, pushing more refugees into poverty, and harming the integration of refugees into communities in the UK.
As faith communities, it’s critical that we speak out.
We’re inviting you to join our interfaith lobby to call for policies that support refugee integration, family unity, and protection for people fleeing persecution. Attending will also allow you to meet with like-minded people from up and down the country and here how others are supporting refugees in their local communities.
Together, we’re aiming to reach 50 MPs to deliver a simple message: welcoming refugees makes our society stronger.
Read on to learn why we’re taking action now, the support you will have access to and how you can get involved
The context: why this moment is so important
The new Immigration and Asylum Bill will make sweeping changes to how the UK offers protection to refugees. These include reducing refugee protection grants to just 30 months and placing a £10,000 “refugee tax” on newly granted refugees.
Amidst this environment, safe routes are still limited. Refugee family reunion has been indefinitely suspended for more than a year – thousands of people have subsequently been prevented from reuniting with family members here in the UK.
We believe that the new measures being introduced in the Immigration and Asylum Bill are cruel, counter-intuitive, and will not deter vulnerable people from seeking safety in the UK.
This bill is being debated amid other proposals that will further erode refugee rights. The pace of these changes means they risk going relatively unnoticed and so, by drawing attention to this bill, we can focus opposition at a vital time and tell MPs that these proposals will not deliver the just asylum system we believe is necessary.
Our responsibility to act
As faith communities, we are taught to welcome the stranger and treat newcomers as neighbours. We also believe that enabling refugees to build community bonds and integrate well benefits us all, creating stronger, safer, and more connected communities where everyone can contribute and belong.
What is our message?
We’re standing united with a vision of a fair and just asylum system – one that defends the rights of the vulnerable and supports refugee integration into local communities. Together, we’re calling on parliamentarians to:
- Oppose temporary refugee status, which will create cycles of uncertainty for vulnerable people and harm integration into communities
- Reject the Refugee Tax, a policy that would create further financial hardship for newly-granted refugees
- Reopen refugee family reunion. The closure of this route is dividing families and disproportionately penalising women and children. The continued lack of safe routes will not help reduce dangerous channel crossings.
Together, we will also share positive stories of welcoming refugees from within our churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
What is a lobby of parliament?
A lobby is when large numbers of people from across the UK come to Parliament on the same day to meet their MP and ask them to take action on an issue they care about.
By coming together in one place and on one day, we can amplify our voice, share personal stories and experiences, and show Parliament the strength of public concern and support for change.
Who should attend?
The interfaith lobby is open to all people of faith from across the United Kingdom including those with lived experience of the asylum system.
We’re welcoming attendees from congregation members and interfaith networks to faith leaders including imams, rabbis, and ministers.
What do I need to do?
You do not need to have any previous experience campaigning, just a passion to make your voice heard and stand up for refugees.
We’ll provide an online training session ahead of the lobby and a briefing pack.
You’ll need to:
- Share your perspectives on why welcoming refugees makes our society stronger and what integration means to you.
- Attend an online training session ahead of the lobby
- Set up a meeting with your MP ahead of the lobby or green card your MP on the day of the lobby
What is green carding?
‘Green carding’ is a process of making a same day request for your MP to meet with you. You can do this at Westminster by speaking to Parliamentary staff and filling out a simple form. If your MP or a member of their team are free, they should come down to meet you.
When?
Tuesday 17 November, from 11:30pm-4:30pm.
The interfaith lobby will take place before report stage of the Immigration and Asylum Bill and will be held around Interfaith Week 2026.
Who is organising the lobby?
The interfaith lobby is being jointly coordinated by HIAS+JCORE, JPIT, and René Cassin.
HIAS+JCORE is the UK’s leading Jewish voice on refuge and asylum. JPIT is the Joint Public Issues Team of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. René Cassin is the Jewish voice for human rights.
Will the event be accessible?
We will enter Parliament via the Cromwell Green Visitors’ Entrance where you will go through airport-style security checks.
Westminster Hall is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
Further information about visiting Parliament is available here and this short video provides details on accessibility.
If you have specific access requirements, please call 020 7219 0516 or email visitorservices@parliament.uk alongside notifying us via the registration form.
What should I bring?
Just yourself. You will be provided with a briefing pack on the day.
What should I wear?
Parliament’s security rules prohibit clothing carrying political slogans. It is also not permitted to bring in materials with political slogans on. Please check the Parliament website for a full list of restricted items.
Do I need any experience of campaigning or politics?
Not at all. Most people attending will not be campaigners. We will provide information, guidance and support before the event so you feel confident meeting your MP.
What if my MP is not available for a meeting?
If your MP does not reply to your meeting request or is unavailable on the day, it may be possible for you to meet a member of their staff instead. There will also be other MPs and supporters who you can speak with.
Can I bring friends or family members?
Yes, provided they have registered to attend. We welcome anyone who supports the campaign and wants to help make a difference.
Will I have to pay anything?
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel. However, we encourage you to travel and attend together with members from your local faith group or religious establishment.
What happens after the event?
The campaign does not end when the meetings finish.
We will share updates on the impact of the faith lobby and opportunities to stay involved in supporting the campaign including writing to your MP as the Bill progresses.
Are there ways to join the campaign if I can’t attend the lobby?
Yes, your support will still make an important difference. By writing to your MP or speaking out in your local community or faith group, you’ll be standing up for refugees. We will provide template letters and other resources to help your campaigning – please be in touch with our team to register your interest.