
Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 11 October 2024
The UK immigration system is undergoing significant scrutiny and transformation in the last quarter of the year.
In a bold move, 25 MPs from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds have penned a letter to the Home Secretary, asserting that UK immigration legislation is inextricably linked to racism and the exclusion of people of colour. This comes in the wake of a previously suppressed Home Office report on the Windrush scandal, which revealed that immigration laws from 1950 to 1981 were partly designed to reduce the number of non-white individuals permitted to live and work in the UK.
On a more positive note, the care sector has seen a surge in foreign recruitment, with 185,000 overseas workers joining in the past two years. This influx has not only offset the decline in British workers but has also led to a record number of men entering the profession. The care work vacancy rate has consequently dropped, offering some relief to the struggling sector.
However, concerns are mounting over the impending implementation of eVisas. Long-term UK residents fear being ‘locked out’ of the country when physical immigration documents are phased out in favour of online visas. Critics argue that the digital system is plagued with functionality issues, potentially leaving many in limbo.
In a stark reminder of ongoing illegal immigration challenges, Immigration Enforcement recently conducted a raid on a Bristol caravan site, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals believed to be working illegally as delivery drivers.
Tough measures and policy making to curb illegal migration continue by the UK Government on an international level as well as the G7 nations have agreed on a new Anti-Smuggling Action Plan to combat migrant smuggling gangs. This initiative aims to foster closer cooperation between G7 partners, bolstering border security and tackling transnational organised crime. The plan includes joint investigative actions and enhanced intelligence sharing to disrupt dangerous smuggling networks.
As these developments unfold, calls for reform continue. The UN’s International Organization for Migration is urging the government to create more safe and legal pathways for migrants, aiming to prevent tragic deaths. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to take a tougher stance on smuggling gangs, promising to ‘smash’ their operations.
Lastly, there has been an influx of updates to several Guidance by the UKVI ranging from Skilled Worker visa eligible salary, Global Business Mobility, Definition of a Partner to Asylum and settlement routes.
As witnessed through the weekly updates, the UK immigration sector continues to evolve, presenting ongoing challenges and debates for policymakers, legal professionals, and those navigating the system.
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For the full list of updates on Immigration news, reports and Home Office Guidance and Policy updates, see below
UK Immigration News
UK immigration laws ‘cannot be uncoupled from racism’, say minority ethnic MPs – The Guardian
Twenty-five black, Asian and minority ethnic MPs have written to the home secretary telling her that the framing of Britain’s immigration legislation “cannot be uncoupled from racism and the exclusion of people of colour”. The MPs were responding to the publication last month of a previously suppressed Home Office report on the origins of the Windrush scandal, which highlighted how three decades of British immigration legislation between 1950 and 1981 were “designed at least in part to reduce the number of people with black or brown skin who were permitted to live and work in the UK”.
For full report, click here
Record number of men in care work in England as immigration eases jobs crisis– The Guardian
Care sector has hired 185,000 foreign recruits in last two years, figures show, more than offsetting drop in British workers. One in five care workers in England are now men, the highest level on record, according to new figures showing immigration is reducing the social care staffing crisis.The figures from the government-funded agency Skills For Care also showed the care work vacancy rate, which had made providing care difficult in some areas, dropped from 10.6% in 2021-22 to 8.3%.
For full report, click here
People who have lived in UK for decades fear being ‘locked out’ by eVisas – The Guardian
People who have been UK residents for decades are worried they could find themselves “locked out” of the country at the end of the year when eVisas come into force. The scheme means many physical immigration documents such as biometric residence permits (BRPs) or biometric residence cards (BRCs) need to be replaced by online visas, which critics have said do not work properly.
For full report, click here
Relaunch of OISC Adviser Finder and Register – UKVI News
The OISC has today relaunched its Adviser Finder and Register. The Adviser Finder is a user-friendly way for people seeking immigration advice to find registered advisers in their area, and the Register exists to ensure the public can check whether an organisation or individual is registered with the OISC.
For full report, click here
How many people cross the Channel in small boats and how many claim asylum? – BBC News UK
The UN’s International Organization for Migration wants government to create more safe and legal ways for migrants to travel to the UK, to avoid these “preventable” deaths. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised he will take tougher measures to “smash” the gangs that smuggle people to the UK.
For full report, click here
‘Illegal delivery drivers’ held in caravan raid – BBC News UK
Seventeen people, all believed to be working illegally as delivery drivers, have been arrested at a city caravan site. Immigration Enforcement carried out the raid at New Stadium Road, next to the M32 in Bristol, where dozens of caravans are parked.
For full report, click here
G7 nations agree new plan to dismantle migrant smuggling gangs – UKVI News
The G7 Anti-Smuggling Action Plan will deliver a boost to UK law enforcement by fostering closer cooperation with G7 partners to bolster border security, combat transnational organised crime, and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation by migrant smugglers. New joint investigative actions will be carried out by law enforcement teams to target criminal smuggling routes, while intelligence sharing between G7 nations will ensure faster identification and disruption of these dangerous networks.
For full report, click here
Case Law
AH and FN v Bundesamt für Fremdenwesen und Asyl (Directive 2011/95/EU) Joined Cases C-608/22 and C-609/22)
This Court of Justice of the European Union ruling significantly impacts asylum procedures for Afghan women in EU countries. The Court determined that the Taliban’s cumulative discriminatory measures against women constitute ‘acts of persecution’ under EU asylum law, as they severely undermine human dignity. Notably, the Court ruled that when assessing asylum applications from Afghan women, authorities need not consider individual circumstances beyond gender and nationality, given the current situation in Afghanistan.
For full decision, click here
Home Office Guidance and Documents Policy Updates
Collection: Other immigration categories has been updated on 10th October 2024. To view the updated
Collection, click here
Guidance: Victims of domestic violence caseworker has been updated on 10th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Exemptions for visa applications has been updated on 10th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Georgia: country policy and information notes has been updated on 09th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme: community support for vulnerable citizens has been updated on 09th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Sri Lanka: country policy and information notes has been updated on 09th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and leaving care: funding instructions has been updated on 09th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Permission to work has been updated on 09th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Working while an asylum claim is considered has been updated on 09th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsor’s workers has been updated on 09th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsor’s students has been updated on 09th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Settlement – family and private life caseworker has been updated on 09th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Zambia: tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Visit the UK if you’re a national of Jordan has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Changes to the commercial partner visa application services has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Information booklet for asylum applications has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Worker and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors: sponsor a Creative Worker has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Skilled Worker visa jobs that qualify for a PhD salary discount has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Skilled Worker visa going rates for eligible occupations has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Sponsor a Skilled Worker has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Skilled Worker visa has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: UK visas on a Temporary Work route has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Global Business Mobility: going rates for eligible occupations has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Relationship with a partner has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Immigration status and enforcement action has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Skilled Worker visa: eligible salary if you’re under 26, studying, training or in a postdoctoral role has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Indefinite and further leave to remain has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Dependent family members in work routes has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Continuous residence has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme has been updated on 08th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Form: Register as a British citizen (form UKF) has been updated on 07th October 2024. To view the updated Form click here
Guidance: Form UKF has been updated on 07th October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Considering detainee placement has been updated on 04 October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Written by Shareen Khan