The author, a Syrian refugee, expresses shock and dismay over the UK Home Secretary's new policy extending the settlement application waiting period to 30 years. This sixfold increase from the current timeframe is seen as an added layer of trauma for refugees already grappling with severe hardships. The author asserts that stricter settlement rules would not have deterred their desperate flight from Syria. They describe feeling under siege due to existing hostile policies, including the potential denial of citizenship for those deemed to have made "dangerous journeys." Frequent reviews of refugee status and the threat of deportation further exacerbate their sense of insecurity in the UK. This new policy is perceived as a "pile-on" of adversity for asylum seekers and refugees. The author feels that their precarious status in the UK is now more vulnerable than ever. The piece highlights the emotional toll of these policy changes on individuals seeking sanctuary.