Ruqsar's Story: The hidden effects of migration rules
When Ruqsar Fatima moved to Newham in 2024, she quickly became aware of the challenges many migrants face when navigating life in a new country.
As part of the Citizen Scientists programme, Ruqsar chose to explore how immigration rules can affect everyday experiences, from accessing services and finding employment to securing housing and building a sense of stability.
Through interviews, surveys and conversations with community organisations, she gathered stories from migrants living across Newham and explored the realities behind their experiences.
Her research found that many people faced uncertainty about their rights and entitlements, difficulty accessing support services, financial pressures linked to work restrictions and challenges finding suitable housing.
At the same time, participants spoke about the importance of community networks and the support they received from local organisations, friends and neighbours.
One of the strongest themes to emerge from the research was that many challenges remain hidden. While people are often doing their best to build a life for themselves and their families, they can face barriers that are not always visible to others.
Ruqsar hopes her research helps improve understanding of migrant experiences and encourages services and organisations to make support easier to access.
Her message is simple:
"Migrants are trying their best. Small changes can make a big difference."
Through her work, she hopes to help create a more informed, supportive and welcoming environment for people starting a new chapter of their lives in Newham.
