We’re all fae somewhere.

Words that will resonate with Glaswegians across the city – a city whose vibrant tapestry has not just been enriched by our iconic architecture, institutions, and rich cultural history, but by the people who have chosen to call Glasgow home.

Since the early Brexit campaign days, the issue of immigration has fuelled our political debate, dominating the headlines as well as the UK Government’s political agenda.

While the UK Government is intent on pushing through its cruel and divisive Rwanda Bill this week, in the face of the hostile rhetoric, Glasgow and indeed Scotland, continues to thrive on the fusion of culture, languages, and skills that migrants have brought to our city.

Under the UK Government’s latest plans, people arriving in the UK face the risk of deportation to Rwanda – a policy that sits firmly in breach of international law.

At a time when Scotland not only has an ageing population and we are also faced with the reality of a declining population, immigration is the key to Scotland’s successful future.

While immigration socially and culturally enriches our nation, we cannot escape the fact that our care sector, hospitals, and schools rely on the work and skills that migrants bring to our country.

In contrast to the current divisive rhetoric being spun by the UK Government which has now announced yet further salary thresholds, migrants are not a burden, but rather an economic asset to Scotland, filling essential roles in our hospitals, schools and public sector.

I myself have seen the impact on my constituents of these arbitrary salary thresholds, which have hindered family reunions and future economic prosperity of our economy.

Despite this, the UK Government remains intent on pushing forward with this piece of abhorrent legislation, that only further stirs division and hatred towards some of the most marginalised groups within our society.

Instead, I would suggest that they should be focusing on providing safe and legal routes to those fleeing war and persecution.

Listening to the ongoing debate that takes place in Westminster surrounding this matter, the chasm that exists politically between us in the SNP and other Westminster parties could not be clearer.

This constant narrative only further pits neighbours and communities against each other, as people are treated with unwarranted suspicion and scepticism.

But what’s worse is that we are now in a bizarre position where the Labour Party’s position on immigration and deportation is now a stone’s throw away from the Tories.

Instead in Scotland, we celebrate the differences that enrich our culture, as well as acknowledge the fundamental economic benefits that come with migration.

Not only this – we stand in unity with those who have chosen to make Scotland their home, which is testament to the empathy and kindness shown by Scottish people.

While Scotland may not yet have power over immigration, it’s why it is so important that we continue to reject the dangerous narrative and fear being spun by Westminster, and instead embrace and acknowledge contributions brought to our country through migration – something we are culturally and economically richer for.

And in the words of the late Bashir Ahmad: “It isn’t important about where you come from, what matters is where we are going together as a nation”.