The controversy over asylum seekers has dominated headlines in Britain over the past year.

Anger over illegal immigration has driven recent protests outside migrant hostels and a huge far-right march in London where over 100,000 took part.

But are asylum seekers being unfairly demonized by the UK media and politicians?

Asylum seeker headlines are everywhere in the UK right now.

Click on a website, pick up a newspaper, turn on the tv, no matter what form of media you use negative headlines about immigrants are everywhere.

Far-right protests

That coverage has fuelled anger towards asylum seekers to such an extent, that over 100,000 people took to the streets at a far-right protest in London on Sept 13.

Added to that there have also been violent demonstrations outside various hotels housing asylum seekers, with protestors blaming migrants for an increase in the local crime rate.

A traumatic journey

That negativity and hostility is a world away from the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association.

The charity based in Feltham in west London helps migrants adjust and integrate into their new lives once they arrive in the UK.

It was founded by Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi, himself a former asylum seeker.

Back in 1999 he and his young family travelled from Afghanistan right across Europe an often traumatic journey.

"It wasn't an easy journey. Yeah, especially when you have small children.  Sometimes we had  to walk for many hours. Sometimes we had to travel  by lorries, by small boats. We have to find smugglers and then paying lot of money to the smugglers."

Eventually Nooralhaq's family reached Belgium, ahead of a crossing to the UK - arguably the most perilous part of their journey.

"We were waiting for maybe more than two hours in cold weather in November.  Then he (people smuggler) opened the door, and then I realized this was a refrigerated container, it was very cold, very dark. Then for more than ten hours, we spent in a very dark, cold. Low oxygen environment. And with young children especially," he told CGTN Europe.

Flourishing in the UK

Once in the UK Nooralhaq Nasimi started the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association. 

Since 1999 he has helped thousands of migrants and in 2023 his work was recognised when he received an MBE from King Charles.

Speaking to CGTN Europe he said it was a very proud moment for him and his family 

"After just receiving the MBA from King Charles in December 2023, then last July in 2024, I was very pleased to receive the honorary doctorate in Law and social science from the Royal Holloway, University of London. So this is an indication how the refugee communities contribute positive things to the society."

The work being done by organisations like the ACAA (Afghanistan and Central Asian Association) is invaluable in helping asylum seekers integrate once they arrive in the UK. 

But that integration is being made more difficult by the negative depiction of migrants in the mainstream media. 

The fear is that the positive message about asylum seekers being created by Dr Nasimi and his colleagues is being drowned out by a xenophobic and far-right narrative that is becoming increasingly normalised.