Do Asylum Seekers living with HIV/AIDS in the UK face any challengers - Essay Example

But for a person seeking asylum in a country, the problem is much worse since he/she might have no one to turn to for help. The only option is such case is the assistance offered by social service organisations and workers with regard to obtaining asylum, finding temporary refuge and for medical and economic assistance. (Hayes, Humphries and Cohen 2004, p. 125). Such persons are also subject to immigration laws which might not be in his favour. (Asylum and Immigration Implications for HIV/AIDS Diagnosis: Consequences to Asylum Claim/Informing Immigration).

This paper is an attempt at analysing the problems or challenges faced by asylum seekers in the United Kingdom. The question here to be answered will be whether the existence of HIV virus in a person (if detected) will hinder his chances of getting asylum. It will also answer the question as to the other challenges he/she might face as a consequence of being infected. The UK has a large number of refugees from Afghanistan, Somalia and Iraq. Strict enforcement of laws on entry and deportation has brought down the number of applications to a large extent.

The Border Agency of the United Kingdom reports that 2007 saw the lowest number of asylum applications in the last fourteen years. It was approximately 23,400 which is just one fourth of the number received in 2002. (Lowest Number of Asylum Applications in 14 Years. 2008). The trend continues in first two quarters of 2008 where the number came to approximately 12,000 asylum applications. (Asylum Seekers 5,720 Application in Q2, 2008. 2008). The following graph gives a picture of the current trend in applications.

In a sense, this is welcoming news for social workers since the reduced number will result in giving more attention and service to the existing applicants. But this trend puts the country in poor light with regard to its stand on human rights violations. According to Paul Holmes, the