Asylum seekers living in a Nottingham hotel said "no one wants us" as news emerged that they could be moved into disused ferries or military bases. The proposals could see migrants moving into “decent but rudimentary” accommodation in former military bases which will be used to house single, adult male migrants.
But people like Arman Chehrazi, who fled the deadly attacks on civilians in Iran, said that life as an asylum seeker is far from being easy. Back in his homeland, he was a lorry driver - and said he misses his family every day.
He told Nottinghamshire Live that some of his family and friends died - so he decided to come to leave to "stay alive". The 35-year-old said he has been living in the Britannia Nottingham Hotel for nine months.
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He became aware of the news and said: "We are being treated like animals - we are just being passed around. It is a human crisis. It is just very painful to be an asylum seeker.
"I left my country because there was a problem - it has never been a choice. I just wanted to stay alive.
"There is no support for us. There is nothing for us." He added: "I miss my family, I miss my friends.
"But I am very grateful to England and people in Nottingham. I have been to other countries where there is racism. I think Nottingham is peaceful.
"It is scary to hear about this from the news, it is scary to hear about protests and people entering hotels elsewhere. But Nottingham is nice."
Taima Hoshyai, also from Iran, said he does not know "if my family are alive" back home. The 26-year-old added: "It is not nice, being moved from a place to another."
The 26-year-old added: "It is hard to be an asylum seeker. It is not like you have got alternatives. I do not know if my family are alive or not back home."
Major Aanni, aged 25, said he heard about the reported proposals from the news. The young man from Gambia added: "We cannot disagree with anything the Home Office says.
"Some people have been moved from Nottingham to other places. People generally like Nottingham.
"Some people just do not want to leave Nottingham - but they do not get a choice. We want to settle down.
"We get many opportunities in Nottingham. First of all, we get to go to college. People get the chance to improve their English.
"Nottingham is a great city to live in. It is difficult to be an asylum seeker. It is difficult to walk in my shoes."
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