
Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 2 August 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape to UK immigration policy, this week has brought forth a series of significant developments that shed light on the complex challenges and ongoing reforms in the system. From reuniting separated Afghan families to addressing the plight of Tamil asylum seekers, the government’s approach to immigration continues to be a topic of intense scrutiny and debate.
One of the most heartening pieces of news comes from the expansion of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). The government has taken a compassionate step by allowing Afghan families separated during the chaotic Kabul evacuation in August 2021 to be reunited. This move not only addresses a pressing humanitarian concern but also demonstrates a commitment to honouring the UK’s obligations to those who risked their lives alongside British forces. It’s particularly touching to note that children evacuated without their parents will now have the opportunity to bring their family members to the UK, with support provided to navigate the application process.
However, the government’s handling of asylum seekers continues to face criticism on multiple fronts. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is under increasing pressure to airlift a group of over 60 Tamil asylum seekers from a remote Indian Ocean Island to the UK. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in managing asylum claims and the delicate balance between border control and humanitarian responsibilities.
The persistent issue of small boat crossings across the Channel remains a contentious topic. Despite efforts to curb these dangerous journeys, recent reports indicate that crossings are continuing, with around 50 people, including children, being brought ashore in Dover. This underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and humane approach to addressing the root causes of irregular migration.
The post-Brexit landscape has introduced new complexities to the UK’s immigration system. Legal experts have raised concerns about the stability of the scheme allowing EU citizens to remain in the UK post-Brexit, following conflicting court rulings over social welfare payments. These legal uncertainties could potentially upend the lives of millions of EU citizens who have made the UK their home, highlighting the need for clear and consistent policy implementation.
Another pressing issue is the rollout of digital visas for non-EU migrants. While the implementation has been delayed, the unchanged year-end deadline leaves over 4 million UK residents at risk of losing their rights. This ‘cliff edge’ scenario underscores the importance of efficient and accessible systems to ensure that long-term residents do not inadvertently become undocumented.
In a positive development for Human Rights, the Home Office has made a significant U-turn regarding trafficking victims. Thousands of individuals at risk of forcible removal will now have their right to recover in the UK considered. This change in approach acknowledges the complex needs of trafficking survivors and the importance of providing adequate support and protection.
The shift in language used by the government when discussing immigration is also noteworthy. The move from terms like ‘illegal’ to ‘irregular’ when referring to certain types of migration suggests a potential softening of rhetoric and perhaps a more nuanced approach to immigration policy.
As the UK grapples with these multifaceted immigration challenges, it’s clear that they will be challenged in maintaining a balance between maintaining border security, fulfilling humanitarian obligations, and ensuring fair treatment for all individuals within the system.
With the constant revisions to Immigration policies, it has become increasingly vital that immigration advisors remain fully abreast of the developments.
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For the full list of updates on media news, reports and Home Office Guidance and Policy updates, see below
Immigration News
Separated Afghan families to be reunited – GOV.UK News
Afghan families separated during the evacuation from Kabul in August 2021 will no longer be left in limbo as the government today confirms the expansion of the UK’s flagship Afghan resettlement scheme, the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).
Children evacuated without their parents will also be able to make a referral to relocate their parents or siblings here, and can be supported to complete their application by a trusted adult.
For full report, click here
Yvette Cooper under pressure to airlift Tamil asylum seekers to UK – The Guardian.
The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, is under mounting pressure to airlift a group of more than 60 Tamil asylum seekers from a remote Indian Ocean Island to the UK.
For full report, click here
About 50 people brought to Dover as small boat crossings continue – The Guardian.
Small boat crossings continued on Saturday as the UK Border Force brought a group of people from the Channel into Dover. Children were among the group of about 50 people who were led ashore from the first boat that docked. Other Border Force vessels remained in the Channel.
For full report, click here
Courts place UK’s post-Brexit scheme for EU citizens at risk, experts warn – The Guardian.
The UK government scheme allowing EU citizens to remain post-Brexit is in danger of being upended, legal experts have warned, after a series of conflicting court rulings over social welfare payments to French and Slovenian citizens and the relative of a Spanish woman living in Britain.
In May, one county court judge found against Islington council, which had rescinded a Slovenian software engineer’s right to emergency housing after he lost work during the pandemic.
For full report, click here
Cliff edge’ deadline for UK digital visas still leaves 4m at risk of losing rights – The Guardian.
The controversial rollout of digital visas for non-EU migrants has been delayed, but without any change to the “cliff edge” year-end deadline. This leaves more than 4 million UK residents facing a race against time to avoid effectively becoming undocumented migrants. Having said people would be able to apply to access the new “eVisas” from June, the Home Office is now advising that applications will open “later in 2024”.
For full report, click here
Trafficking victims may be able to recover in UK in Home Office U-turn- The Guardian.
Thousands of trafficking victims at risk of being forcibly removed from the country will now have their right to recover in the UK from the effects of exploitation considered after the Home Office settled a major case.
The Home Office had argued that people could access treatment in their home countries or that they could be removed because they were not midway through treatment in the UK.
For full report, click here
Irregular, not illegal: what the UK government’s language reveals about its new approach to immigration – The Conversation.
One of Keir Starmer’s first acts as prime minister was to kill off the previous government’s flagship asylum policy. The Rwanda plan was doomed from the start, dogged by legal and political difficulties and culminating in a £320 million bill to the taxpayer with no planes actually taking off.
It was also emblematic of the divisive rhetoric that has accompanied the last 14 years of chaotic and cruel immigration policy. The aim was to make life as intolerable as possible for people with no right to be in the UK.
For full report, click here
UK targets reform of ‘Hotel California’ immigration system – Arab News
It is both sad and true that the UK has evolved from being a sanctuary for those in need of protection after fleeing conflicts or persecution to the ultimate place for asylum seekers, economic migrants and victims of organized crime gangs that specialize in human trafficking. There are bogus student visa suppliers and shady companies profiting from skilled and unskilled workers, offloading low-paid workers onto the caving social security system of the UK once they earn their settled status.
For full report, click here
Home Office Guidance and Policy Document Updates
Guidance: Nationality forms guide has been updated on 31st July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Retaining valuable documents: caseworker has been updated on 31st July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: UK tuberculosis test clinics has been updated on 31st July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors workers has been updated on 31st July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors students has been updated on 31st July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Using your UK Visas and Immigration account has been updated on 31st July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme ID document scanner locations has been updated on 30th July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Collection: Other immigration categories (immigration staff) has been updated on 30th July 2024. To view the updated collection, click here
Guidance: ACRS pathway 1 stage 2: separated families: caseworker has been updated on 30th July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Afghan citizens resettlement scheme: Separated Families Pathway has been updated on 30th July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Vietnam: country policy and information notes has been updated on 29th July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT) has been updated on 29th July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: China tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 29th July 2024. To view the Updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Botswana tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 29th July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: EEA and EU asylum claims: caseworker has been updated on 25th July 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Collection: Migration transparency data has been updated on 25th July 2024. To view the updated collection, click here
Transparency data: Ukraine Visa Schemes visa data has been updated on 25th July 2024. To view the updated Transparency data click here
Written by Shareen Khan