Immigration Controls, the Family and the Welfare State: A Handbook of Law, Theory, Politics and Practice for Local Authority, Voluntary Sector and Welfare State Workers and Legal Advisors

Cohen challenges the assumption that one cannot work for the central or local government and challenge it at the same time. He does not encourage law breaking, but provides practical suggestions on how an official can act within the law without intentionally magnifying the problems of the person the official is obliged to serve. This book is challenging and deliberately thought-provoking, but it answers the question what do I do? This book should be on any syllabus on immigration and social work. Cohen has provided a thoughtful answer to many of the problems that those in social services and school are compelled to confront daily. He has done a fantastic service for all those concerned with the issue of immigration and asylum. This book cannot be praised highly enough.'

- SAGE Race Relations Abstracts

'Immigration Controls, the family and the Welfare State is all in favour of the right of Labour to migrate. The rich can always find new markets or new places to build factories, while workers are denied the same right to move. This is the most practical book you could imagine. Each chapter includes case studies and suggests how a campaign around them could work'

- Socialist Review

'Written primarily for social and welfare workers and advisers, the book sets out to unravel the complexities of immigration law, and its impact on the family and welfare rights. Among other things the book covers the history of controls, the practical application of law (using case studies), applying for immigration status, working with asylum seekers, interviewing, report writing, and liaison between welfare professionals, advisers and legal representatives. The author is an immigration lawyer with 25 years experience. He is former coordinator of the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, having practiced at the bar.

- Welfare Benefits

'Steve Cohen is a veteran anti-racist campaigner who has for 25 years worked as an immigration adviser, and has during that period produced lucid and compelling analysis of immigration controls and the welfare state Each chapter starts with a casework problem raising important issues of practice. The issue may be about whether the headteacher of a state school can enrol a child who has been admitted for private education; or whether an 80-year-old with no permission to stay can get meals on wheels. In chapters on marriage, children, unmarried partners, asylum and on benefits, education, housing, social and health services and probation, he combines history and comprehensive guidance he explains when and why it is necessary for local authority or voluntary sector workers to ask their clients about their immigration status; how it should be done and the consequences of not doing so This book is absolutely unique in its contribution of law, theory, politics and practice and it is absolutely indispensable for anyone working with those affected by immigration controls.'

- CARF62

'This is a work of political polemic, with an ace handbook attached. It presents current immigration law and practice for practitioners in education and the medical and social services, from an explicit anti-racist stance. It will also be of considerable use to the specialist legal practitioner It explains immigration issues as they might arise in the context of different areas of practice. Each chapter begins with a true-life tale and a casework example. Examples drawn from life and history are given throughout. The structure of the book is clear and the index likewise useful The book is to be particularly commended to all practitioners for its readability and accessibility, which is achieved without any loss of clarity about the law.'

- Family Law

The increasingly close relationship between immigration controls and the welfare state makes the law highly relevant to many professional groups, including workers within local authorities, the voluntary sector and the welfare state. In this comprehensive handbook Steve Cohen examines the law, including the 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act, as it applies to the relationship between issues of welfare, immigration control and refugee status, giving pointers for good practice. The practical application of the law is illustrated with a wealth of case studies. The guidelines for anti-racist practice, campaigning, contesting immigration status, working with asylum-seekers, interviewing, report writing and liasing between welfare professionals and legal representatives make this book an essential resource for all professionals working in this field.

Steve Cohen was an immigration lawyer for over 25 years and was Co-ordinator of the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit. He studied law at Oxford and Birmingham and practised as a barrister. The author of many academic, professional and political articles, he was actively involved in campaigns against deportation and denial of entry.