> There should be a political call to action here

A real problem in both benefits claiming and immigration systems is that there are voters on the other side loudly demanding that the system be made more hostile and kafkaesque.

Yea, it's a mistake to think everyone wants things to be better, and that we just need to organize. There is a huge, motivated voting block out there who want to make things worse, at least worse for people unlike themselves, and they are organized and fighting back (and usually winning).

And bear in mind that there are quite a few politicians willing to monetize that by actually implementing those more hostile and kafkaesque rules.