All migrants in the UK can write to elected representatives, no matter their immigration status. You don’t have to be a British citizen or have the right to vote to contact your MP or councillor.

Elected representatives are there to support everyone who lives in their area, not just voters. If you live in their ‘constituency’ or ‘ward’, they have a duty to listen to you.

You can write to your MP or councillor if you are:

• An asylum seeker
• A refugee
• A person with limited leave to remain
• A visa holder (e.g. student, skilled worker, family visa)
• A person with no recourse to public funds
• An undocumented migrant 

Undocumented migrants may legally contact elected representatives, but it’s important to be cautious. Some representatives may not be supportive and contacting them may not always be safe or helpful. A good first step is to consult with a trusted support organisation or legal adviser who can help decide the best and safe way forward.

You can contact your elected representative for various reasons, related or unrelated to your migration status. For example, problems with housing or accommodation, delays or unfair treatment by the Home Office, difficulty accessing local services (e.g. school, GP, legal advice), community safety, experience of discrimination or hate crime, support for a local group, faith community, or project.

There are organisations such as Citizens Advice or local community support organisations that can help to write a letter or attend a meeting with your elected representatives. Visit Citizens Advice website for advice on a range of issues.

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