Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [HL]

My Lords, in supporting this amendment from these Benches, I should say that our whole reputation is in the balance. Over the years, we have prided ourselves on having a door that welcomes people who are in desperate situations. Often, the refugee is the most desperate of all. Two weeks ago, I spoke to a refugee who had spent four weeks in the back of a lorry travelling from Afghanistan. I know that they should not do that, but let us imagine the despair of people who are ready to put up with that sort of journey. We should remember too those who came in a refrigerated van and were found to have died on their journey when they reached Dover. The situation can be desperate, which means that we must be people of realistic compassion who are ready to give such refugees an opportunity to walk the path of citizenship. I would expect the word "humanitarian" from the noble Lord, Lord Hylton. We still must be a people ready to welcome those who are not in circumstances that we, nor they, would desire. We on these Benches welcome this amendment.