Maybe, I never said she/he wasn't.

yep, i used to help them with a free flight back home

Bonbon your post is complete rubbish. Where did you read that asylum seekers get given houses etc? The Daily Mail? I was a social worker in the UK and know from first hand experience that asylum seekers are not given anything of the sort. They are kept in 'holding communities' while their immigration application is processed, they are provided with either vouchers of the bare minimum or food packages. Many asylum seekers would love the opportunity to obtain education or work, sadly their immigration status does not allow this, they can also not claim benefits or social housing.

Yes, but under current EU rules he has to do so in Lithuania.

That's correct, but the comment was that as he was already under the protection of Iran, he couldn't claim asylum, which is a not correct.

And once this application has been accepted?

It's a long drawn out (and expensive for an asylum seeker with no income) process to obtain 'Indefinite Leave to Remain'' sorry to burst your bubble and apparent belief that anyone can pop over to the UK and can claim what they want.

If they are eventually granted this they have the right to work and live in the UK, the same as you and I. Guess what jobs they usually end up doing? Yes, that's right. Cleaners within the NHS, low-paid manual work, working in care homes taking care of 'our' elderly. Hardly living the life of Riley on 'your' taxes now is it?

You're right the minority do pick up these jobs.
I am certainly not disagreeing with you that some unfortunate people do come to the UK because circumstances mean they need to leave their own country however, the majority of asylum seekers that go to Britain and are accepted are there simply because its a better life than the one they had and they get it for free.

Oh and FYI I don't read the Daily Mail.

Is it the Daily Express then?

What do you base that comment on? Seriously? Have you ever even met an asylum seeker? I have worked with them and have never heard people bragging abut what they are going to get from Britain 'for free'. The benefits system is the UK is set at one of the lowest levels in Europe. If you want to do well off a country you would be better off going to Scandinavia or France.

Yes and it is the same in canada. They showed a research recently about the traumatism on adults and children asylum seekers coming in Canada and been put in those centers. Many are traumatised.

I have an Iranian friend in montreal who left his country years ago risking his life through the mountains. I had some students from there too and any chances one can get to get out of there should be supported.

Yes, Nil. The rates of psychosis within communities of Asylum Seekers is very high. The trauma of what was experienced in the home country (possibly rape, violence or witnessing violence, fear of the same), combined with an often terrifying journey to the land of 'asylum', interrogation by immigration at the border/port then put into a holding facility where you are given the bare minimum and you may not speak the common language. Hostility from the local communities and media in general. Hell on earth

Watching/reading the news and listening to politicians from the current and previous governments stating that it is a huge issue!
Yes
You were a social worker, do you really believe someone is going to say to you ‘Yes I am here to get what I can’. Come on surely you don’t believe that?
It might be low but it is a lot easier to get than anywhere else. Why is there camp sites set up at the ports in France with 1000's upon 1000's of asylum seekers trying to get to the UK rather than stay in France, it’s certainly not for the weather!

OK firstly, the media has a bias. It's your choice whether you sit like a sheep absorbing what you are told or do some research and deconstruct what is presented in the media and obtain a balanced perspective.

Benefits are not easy to obtain in general. This is a myth. There are many forms and processes to go through. The system is very thorough and is becoming more so, of course there are people who abuse the system. I would argue they are more likely to be the 'indigenous' people's than those from overseas. This is a moot point anyway because as I have previously mentioned Asylum Seekers are not eligible for state benefits nor housing or council tax benefits.

It's because the UK has a huge unregulated labour market for unskilled workers, and no compulsory registration system. Funnily enough the people who moan about immigrants (asylum seekers or not) flooding Britain are the very same people who will shoot down any serious attempt to introduce compulsory ID cards in Britain. Not that I'm in favour, but it would make illegal immigration a lot harder.

Yes, that's true Tom.

Media does have a bias but if you read enough you can eventually come to your own conclusion.
Benefits are not easy to come by but obviously easier than France.

I recommend applying in Lithuania, even though it is probably one of the worst EU countries in which to be an asylee of this kind, or just don't even bother with the EU/Schengen. Better options are in Canada or the US.

The OP's circumstances are just another example of weakness within the EU. Human rights and equality throughout the EU are extremely disjointed.

I love how nice people here are to asylum seekers... and the inherent prejudices they have.

As a former refugee whose family made their way to Canada from Iran when word came that my father was about to be killed, I find some of the people here really judgmental. On to the information I have to offer:

If you're a political dissident, and there's a security file on you and your exit visa was forged (this is the visa iran gives iranian so they can leave the country), and you still fear for your life in the Baltic regions, I would advise you to find the German consulate with any evidence at your disposal. I would not suggest trying to make your way to the UK unless you have a university degree from an english-speaking country because you will end up hating your life there even if you are granted asylum.

If there are security forces after you, I would not go for Switzerland because the chatter online and my family members in the past have advised me the Iranian parliament in exile based in Switzerland means there is a large contingent of Iranian spies in the country keeping an eye on them. Many of the spies are citizens of other countries working there, others are working under non-official cover, I'm certain Switzerland knows they exist, which is why Iranian asylum seekers in Switzerland tend to blend it quite well for the most part. Your family might be threatened back home, or you might end up dead as a victim of a "random crime" if you're not so lucky. Generally, if there are security forces after you, stay away from Europe unless you have money and you can afford a security detail.

If you were involved in the 2009 election aftermath, I suggest Germany since there's a few dozen refugees that ended up there after the election after being caught on camera at the protests (yes, that's all it takes for the government to arrest, torture and rape you in prison-- if you were to survive) -- but generally, these were people that were unable to settle in Turkey since there were people looking for them.

If Turkey is safe for you, I really think that's the best place for you, especially if you already speak Turkish because you'll be able to blend in rather well. I unfortunately get the impression it probably wasn't so safe for you.

Good Luck, but it's going to suck even if you survive this. The current political climate makes the situation a bit worse unfortunately.