29th September 2026
As debate intensifies over reducing migration to Australia, migrants and refugees say the political climate is affecting their sense of belonging and social security. The Guardian Australia spoke with a number of migrants and refugees, including several Afghans who shared their experiences of life in Australia.
Afghan Student Anxious About His Future
Shamsullah Sediqi, 19, arrived in Australia with his family in 2024 after fleeing Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Now living in Melbourne, he hopes to study medicine and become a neurosurgeon. Sediqi said the recent migration debate had left him feeling less certain about his future in Australia. At times, he said, migrants appear to be viewed primarily as statistics rather than as people who live in and contribute to Australian society.
Concerns Over an Overemphasis on Economic Value
Kobra Seyedi, an Afghan-Australian living in Sydney, also spoke about the latest migration policies. She arrived in Australia from Pakistan in 2010 and, after finishing school, studied art and worked in the creative industries. Seyedi said the strong focus on skilled workers and selected professions could create the impression that migrants are valued only for their economic contribution. Social, cultural and artistic work, as well as public service, are also integral to Australian life and society, she said.
Concerns About Belonging
The report also featured Saad Khalid, a migrant living in Canberra. Khalid moved to Australia from Pakistan and, after completing his studies, worked in media for an ethnic community organisation. He said the tone of public debate about migration and multiculturalism had changed, leaving some migrants more self-conscious about their accents, surnames and speaking other languages in public. News about migration policy spreads rapidly through social media and messaging groups within migrant communities, he said, adding that misinformation can heighten anxiety.
Reports of Rising Discrimination
Ogi Simic of the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Research Centre said the organisation had received a growing number of reports of hostile and racist encounters. Some migrants are concerned about their visa status, workplace rights and their families’ futures, he said. Simic called for the migration debate to focus more closely on specific government policies and to avoid fuelling fear within migrant communities.
Government Says Migration Debate Must Continue
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has said the government supports migration but opposes abuse of the migration system. He also stressed that all Australians must be treated equally, regardless of their background. The federal government has announced changes to migration policy in recent weeks. Under the plan, net overseas migration is expected to fall to 245,000 in the current financial year and to 225,000 in 2027–28. The changes come as political parties debate migration levels, temporary visas, and the economic and social pressures associated with population growth. The Guardian’s report shows that beyond the political debate and headline figures, migrants and refugees remain concerned about how these policies affect their daily lives, sense of belonging and their families’ futures.
Source: The Guardian Australia
