IT is sometimes forgotten that some immigrants have been duped, forced or coerced into attempting to enter the country illegally.

Sometimes it’s the promise of a good job, sometimes it’s the promise of a relationship.

At best, they may find themselves labouring around the clock in low-paid jobs.

At worst they may end up being a modern-day slave or forced into prostitution,

It is a fact that vulnerable and desperate people can be preyed on by those whose only reason to get them into the country is to exploit them.

This often involves working in people’s homes, or in manual jobs such as construction or farming.

Typically, they may find themselves working very long hours for little or no pay.

Accommodation is often pitifully basic. Traffickers trap their victims in the situation by taking away passports, claiming the person owes them money for travel or accommodation, accompanying them wherever they go or threatening violence.

Those who have the courage and opportunity to contact the police will be taken to a safe place away from their trafficker.

They will have at least six weeks to recover from their ordeal before being required to arrange a visa to stay in the UK.

Accommodation will be provided and counselling will be available,

Police will investigate the trafficker but victims are under no obligation to give evidence in court – threats are sometimes made against family members back home if the victim speaks out.

Gulwali gives an insight into what it means to be an asylum seeker

Those from non-EU countries will be given assistance in returning home. However, if returning would be dangerous, help will be given in applying for permanent UK residency.