Undocumented migrants reveal they have been forced to avoid the Covid vaccine, dodge medical help when ill, give up jobs and take up more cramped accommodation during the pandemic, in a study that suggests the virus exacerbated the “deadly effects” of the government’s “hostile environment” immigration policies. Almost half of the group said explicitly that they were afraid of trying to obtain the vaccine because of their immigration status, or were hesitant because they did not have enough information about it. Several said that they had to buy their own PPE to ensure they could keep working. One was eating just one proper meal per day to save money after losing work, while another volunteered for a charity in exchange for hot meals. The study, published by Kanlungan Filipino Consortium – a charity working to empower Filipino, east- and south-east Asian migrants – and backed by the British Academy, followed a group of 14 Filipino migrants, many of whom worked in care and domestic work. They were interviewed in spring 2020 and again this year to record how their immigration status was affecting their ability to cope during the pandemic. One said that he had been asked for his passport to register with a GP – not a legal requirement. His wife, also an irregular migrant who works as a carer, had flu-like symptoms, but took paracetamol and orange juice instead of seeking professional help. Another migrant described shaking every time her phone rang after she tested positive for Covid-19, as she was afraid of giving her address to NHS authorities. “Definitely we’re scared,” she said. “Every move that we do, we’re scared.” Others were wary of coming forward for the vaccine. “I’m afraid to go to the vaccine because they’re going to get my details,” said one. “It could be a trap: if they have our details, they can catch us. I’m not going to do the vaccine.” Another said: “Because of being undocumented, I don’t know if they will consider us for the vaccine. This is what I’m worried about.” Another was afraid to use the NHS test and trace app because of his status and the fear of being deported. While the UK government has said that diagnosis and treatment for Covid-19 is free and available to all regardless of immigration status, treatment for “secondary or subsequent illnesses”, including complications arising from the coronavirus infection and long Covid, are not included. “Hostile environment” refers to a series of measures aimed at making life harder for people to get services and remain in the UK if they cannot prove they have the right to be in the country. It was renamed the “compliant environment” by Sajid Javid while he was home secretary, but its various policies make it harder to take up employment, rent property, open bank accounts, get driving licences, and access welfare and public services. In spring 2020, two-thirds of interviewees had lost all their work and income, and only one out of 15 reported that their income had not changed due to the pandemic. Ten months later, three were entirely without work. Several were on the brink of destitution and struggling to pay rent and meet basic needs. More than half said they were relying on borrowed money. “Bry”, a domestic worker, lost her job when she got Covid-19. She had worked for her elderly employer for five years, but was dismissed without notice. “She always said I was part of the family,” she said of her employer. “I expected more motherly care – I was insulted, in a way. I’m just crying all the time.” Another who was sharing a five-bedroom flat with 14 people in 2020 had moved to a two-bedroom flat with three other people by 2021, but was planning to recruit two more housemates to sleep in the living room to spread the cost of rent. Another reported that she had lived in four or five different places over a year. The Home Office said: “The Government recognises the unprecedented impact of Covid-19 and that is why we acted decisively to ensure we support everyone through this pandemic. Many of the wide-ranging Covid-19 measures we put in place were available to migrants with no recourse to public funds, including the coronavirus job retention scheme, self-employed income support scheme, and protections for renters from evictions. “The UK has a proud history of welcoming those in need. Our new nationality and borders bill will create an immigration system that is fair but firm, welcoming those in genuine need but cracking down on those who come to the UK illegally.”