The only means of escape available to those who have been smuggled into the country is either to win the right to remain or return to their country of origin. Once their immigration status is recognised, they become eligible for state benefits and are in a better position to refuse the worst jobs. They can also look to the state for protection from violent and unscrupulous employers or abuse of their rights under the various laws of the country without fear of deportation. When immigrants apply for asylum, they are no longer deemed ‘illegal’ and are protected from removal and given financial support and housing while they await a decision. If their application fails they face deportation to their country of origin.

Three pieces of international law can be used to support an asylum application in the UK. People can apply under the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to refugees where they must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution. It is also possible for a person to apply to remain in the UK if removing them would be in breach of their rights as laid down in the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The UK is also party to the European Union Asylum Qualification Directive. This has been adopted by EU member states as part of the process of establishing a Common European Asylum System. All asylum or human rights claims must be considered in light of the provisions of the Qualification Directive.