On my 24th birthday, I checked my email during a break while working a long shift at a summer school. The Home Office told me they rejected my permanent residency application. That moment made me involved in politics.

Since then, I applied successfully for the EU Settled Status and became British in 2020. I am privileged - I spoke English well at the time and I understood the endless pages of immigration rules. But that moment made me dedicate my working life to campaign for people to be informed about what their rights are and how to stand up for them.

Since then, I trained and volunteered as an immigration adviser and worked for and with a number of migrants’ rights organisations. In 2022, I co-founded Migrant Democracy Project, where I currently work as Co-Director part-time, focussing on the operational side of the organisation.

As a County Councillor, I regularly speak about migrants and refugees in the chamber. My proudest achievement was a motion calling for Government to adequately fund local authorities to be able to support new residents to be integrated in local communities. Free English classes, the right to work, knowing your rights - these are all good things that facilitate integration and prevent negative social, emotional and financial impacts longer-term.