Contradictions in UK Migrant Law and Women's Advocacy: the Case of Trafficked/Undocumented Filipino Women
Funder: Arts and Humanities Research Council
Principal Investigator: Dr Pauline Eadie
Project team: Dr Helen McCabe (co-investigator); Dr Liezel Longboan (research associate); Susan Cueva (projct support); Amanda Lago (project support)
Duration: April 2025 - April 2026
The project examines the issue of 'tied' visas that bind migrant workers or partner/spouses to designated households in the UK. The project team will explore the extent to which tied visas facilitate abuse as victims are dependent on their employers or spouse/partner for their legal immigration status. They will investigate the extent to which Filipino women who have escaped from abusive traffickers, spouses and employers end up as undocumented ‘illegals’ that are presented as a problem for UK society.
This project aims to test the extent to which this situation contradicts other UK laws that work to stop comparable abuses, such as honour-based abuse and/or domestic abuse. The team examine the extent to which the tied-visa system compromises UK laws designed to protect the fundamental rights of women. This issue is challenging because it is legally and politically contentious.
This project has secured total funding of £94,783 from the AHRC responsive mode: Curiosity Award: Round Four.