Silos of Hate

Many of you know how after a long term membership with the MIA, I was - following my setting up of the Victorian Immigration Solicitors' Alliance: VISA expelled - thrown out - expunged - by the Board of the MIA - a board made up completely of migration agents mind.

Any long term member - even former presidents - will tell you since about 2015 the wheels feel off the MIA. (From buying a purpose built palatial office block to promptly selling the same palatial block to ward off bankruptcy) Many had hope that the ending of "dual regulation' and the purging of the migration agents from the board things would return to normal - the good old days, you know, when the board had lawyers on it and the MIA stood for more than self interest.

Anyway those hopes seem less and less likely.

One of the main causes of this toxic culture infecting the MIA board and corroding the relationship between immigration lawyers and migration agents is the online migration agent chat rooms springing up everywhere. The most vile hate speak can be witnessed in these pro MIA and migration agents "private" chat rooms.

As I wrote a few weeks ago it is in these "silo" or echo chambers, where agents are fermenting hatred towards lawyers. I am convinced that the pandemic and closing of borders has exacerbated their hatred toward us, but the contempt and disdain show by the current MIA board towards Lawyers is clearly fanning the flames.

I was recently asked if I would consider rejoining the MIA and I said not under the current regime. (With the changes to the law and the clear demarcation between Solicitors and migration agents who knows what the future holds) But the condition precedent would clearly be a board of lawyers.

So in this growingly grumpier world VISA will be a safe haven for those seeking a hate free environment to discuss issue of the law and human rights and the goodness of coffee - and to treat all with respect and kindness.

Cheers