A DECADE of the hostile environment has left thousands of migrants destitute and at breaking point or worse, campaigners said on the 10th anniversary since the policies were launched. 

On May 25 2012, then-home secretary Theresa May laid out her intention to create a “very hostile environment for illegal immigrants” in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. 

The anti-immigration policies that ensued were aimed at making life unbearable for people who had overstayed by restricting their access to healthcare, housing and benefits. 

Controversial from the start, they came to international attention during the Windrush scandal, which saw large numbers of people wrongly denied the right to work, detained and deported because they did not have documents to prove their right to live in Britain. 

On Wednesday, migrant rights charities and people affected by the hostile environment highlighted the devastating human cost of the aggressive policies 10 years on.

“The ‘hostile environment’ has created barriers and divisions in communities, done great harm to individuals and damaged the very fabric of our society,” migrant rights charity Praxis CEO Sally Daghlian said.

“We see people too scared to visit the doctor despite being severely ill, women trapped in abusive relationships, people unable to find somewhere to live because landlords are scared to rent to someone without a UK passport.”

The charity said that alongside strict policies, Home Office fees have also skyrocketed over the last 10 years, forcing even those with status to live precariously while struggling to fork out thousands of pounds for visas every two-and-a-half years. 

One person affected by extortionate visa fees is key worker *Margarita, who has four British children.

“We had to cut back on trips, nice food and clothes, outings, activities outside of school — all things that their mates are able to do, but my children can’t experience because I always have to save for my visa fees,” she said. 

“I am trying to speak with them and make them understand but it’s difficult. It’s mentally torturing.”

The charity warns that the government is now extending these policies to refugees and asylum-seekers. 

Ms Daghlian added: “The government needs to focus on creating fast routes to regularising status and address the inefficiencies in the system rather than punishing people by pursuing hostile, cruel policies.”