Going Undercover as a Migrant in Brexit Britain

The first paragraph introduces London as a city with a significant immigrant population, nearly 40% of whom were born abroad. It discusses the impact of immigration on the city's economy and the rise in racist attacks post-referendum. The speaker goes undercover to explore the life of an economic migrant, highlighting the unknown number of migrants arriving weekly and the doubling of street sleepers in the past five years. The narrative follows Ionut, a migrant from Romania, and touches on the importance of having a local contact to escape the cycle of poverty. The speaker's next step is to 'phone a friend,' Matei, a Romanian interpreter who is well-versed in the migrant community and its challenges.

Paragraph two delves into the informal labor market on the outskirts of London, where migrants seek cash-in-hand work. It describes how workers gather at specific spots around hardware stores to be hired by builders for daily work without contracts. The paragraph details the risks these workers take, including the lack of health and safety, minimum wage, and the possibility of not getting paid. The use of a hidden camera reveals the harsh realities of this hiring process. The speaker also touches on the misconceptions about migrants knowing the British benefit system and the reality of their struggle to find work and accommodation. The narrative includes an experience of secret filming and the challenges of posing as a migrant without arousing suspicion.

The third paragraph discusses the harsh living conditions of migrants in London, focusing on a place called Rahova, which is depicted as a tough environment. The speaker highlights the difficulties of proving one's legal status and the fear of immigration enforcement. It also touches on the reality of living in a dosshouse, a place with desperate and sad living conditions. The narrative moves to Luton, another entry point for migrants that becomes a trap for some due to the high cost of living in London. The paragraph describes the reliance on soup kitchens and the struggles of migrants like Radek, who fell into the 'migrant trap' after an accident left him without money or benefits.

Paragraph four addresses the fear and impact of Brexit on migrants, with a reported spike in hate crimes and incidents across the UK. It provides a personal perspective on the experiences of those targeted, including Matei, who was yelled at for looking foreign. The paragraph describes a squat used by homeless migrants, highlighting the division between English and Eastern European migrants and the harsh living conditions. It also explores the possibility of finding work on a farm as a way out of the trap, with the potential to save money and send it home, offering a glimmer of hope for migrants seeking a better life.

The final paragraph discusses the importance of migrant workers in the British farming industry, which contributes significantly to the economy. It highlights the reliance on foreign workers, particularly from Eastern Europe, for the harvesting season. The paragraph dispels the myth that migrants come to Britain to live off benefits, showing instead their contribution to the workforce. It also touches on the broader trend of anti-globalization and anti-immigration sentiments in the Western world and the potential consequences for those who are most vulnerable. The speaker reflects on the surprising difficulty faced by migrants starting from nothing and the overall positive atmosphere encountered among the people working on British farms.