So often, conversations about asylum seekers get stuck in the same loop of half-truths and outright myths. You’ll hear the same lines repeated over and over, usually with a shake of the head or a knowing sigh. But when you pause and look a little closer, the reality is very different.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that people seeking asylum are illegal. They’re not. Under international law, it’s a human right to seek sanctuary, no matter how you arrive, even in a small boat. Nor are people flocking here for benefits. The truth is sobering, asylum seekers live on around £6 a day and are usually not allowed to work.

You’ll also hear claims that Britain is overrun, yet our numbers are far lower than Germany, France, or even tiny Lebanon. And the idea that most claims are fake doesn’t hold water either. Nearly half are accepted straight away, and many more succeed on appeal, which shows the system recognizes genuine need.

Another common refrain is that asylum seekers are a burden. But once allowed to work, refugees bring skills, determination, and fresh perspectives that enrich local communities. The argument that people should apply from abroad sounds neat but ignores the reality: safe legal routes are scarce, and international law allows people to apply once they reach our shores.

Some picture asylum seekers as all young men, but families, women, and children are making these dangerous journeys too. Sometimes young men travel ahead simply because it’s too perilous for vulnerable loved ones. Others say they jump the housing queue, yet they have no choice in where they’re placed, and they don’t take priority over council housing.

And no, they don’t have to stay in the first safe country. Many come here because they already have family, language, or cultural connections. Perhaps the most harmful myth is that asylum seekers pose a danger. In truth, there’s no evidence they’re more likely to commit crimes. Many are women and children themselves, running from violence, just hoping for the same safety we’d wish for our own families.

Behind the headlines and the noise, that’s really what asylum is about: people looking for safety, dignity, and a chance to rebuild their lives.