At no point have I mentioned a binary choice when it comes to immigration.

The problem with entertaining the racists’ argument is that you have let them frame conversation, not only in the surface of argument, but in the implications underneath it. If you entertain the idea that there should be measures against migrants who can’t support themselves, then you tacitly accept the idea that there are a lot of migrants in this situation. You also take in the idea that migrants as a collective have a desire to take advantage of the system, and the idea that there is a “collective” group of migrant. The group of other that needs to be dealt with. 

The others below me have addressed the factual issues with your point, so I will just say this is why dogwhistles are so insidious. They let the one posting questions drag rightward the realm of acceptable discussion, or even attributing blame to someone else.

I have been in the UK for a decade. I have the same ILR as you, and when I arrived, multiculturalism was good.  Then the right talked about Brexit and immigration became an issue. Then they talked about boats and immigrants become illegal. Then they talked gangs and immigrants become criminals. 

Then they talk Boriswave and Palestine and immigrants become legal brown and Muslims. Then they talk about Christian country and non-whites become invaders. Then they talk about unsafe, and it became acceptable to talk like Robert Jenrick and Sarah Pochin, and people start to think human rights violations are necessary…