Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 20 September 2024
In a week marked by significant developments in UK immigration policy, the Home Secretary has initiated a comprehensive review of recruitment practices in key sectors, signalling a potential shift in the nation’s approach to foreign talent. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been tasked with examining international recruitment in IT, telecommunications, and engineering, industries that have long relied heavily on overseas workers. This move marks the beginning of a series of sector-specific reviews, suggesting a broader reassessment of the UK’s dependence on international workforce.
Meanwhile, the Home Office faces criticism on multiple fronts. A heart-wrenching case has emerged of two parents pleading to be reunited with their children in the UK after being separated during a Channel crossing attempt. The children, aged five and nine, are currently in foster care in Britain whilst their parents remain in France, highlighting the human cost of the UK’s stringent immigration policies.
In a controversial move, the Home Office has offered £15 million over three years to NGOs willing to assist in resettling newly deported individuals in countries including Ethiopia, Iraq, and Zimbabwe. This decision has been met with accusations of ‘cynical’ and ‘unethical’ behaviour from various refugee charities, who view the offer as an attempt to outsource the moral implications of deportations.
The government’s Rwanda asylum plan continues to face opposition, with former Prime Minister John Major describing it as ‘un-Conservative and un-British’. This criticism from within the Conservative ranks underscores the divisive nature of the scheme and its potential impact on the UK’s international reputation.
In a surprising turn of events, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed that Labour leader Keir Starmer has shown ‘great interest’ in Italy’s migration deal with Albania. This comes as the UK pledges £4 million to support Meloni’s controversial crackdown on irregular migration, suggesting a potential shift in Labour’s stance on immigration policy.
The courts have also played a significant role in shaping immigration outcomes this week. An Iraqi refugee won a three-year legal battle to prove he was a child when he arrived in the UK, challenging the Home Office’s age assessment practices. In another case, the High Court awarded over £200,000 in damages to Ibukun Adegboyega, who was unlawfully detained for 88 days in 2017. The judge’s scathing criticism of the Home Office’s conduct in this case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of immigrants within the UK system.
On a more positive note, a Pakistani doctor facing potential deportation has won a Home Office U-turn, allowing him to continue his work at a GP surgery in east London. This decision underscores the importance of skilled migrants in supporting the UK’s healthcare system.
Looking ahead, European travellers planning to visit the UK in 2025 should be aware of new entry requirements. The current visa-free travel enjoyed by EU citizens will come to an end, with a new travel rule set to be implemented by April 2025. This change reflects the ongoing adjustments in the UK’s relationship with Europe post-Brexit.
As these developments unfold, they collectively paint a picture of a nation grappling with the complexities of immigration policy, balancing economic needs, humanitarian concerns, and political pressures in an ever-evolving global landscape.
As witnessed through the weekly updates, the UK’s immigration sector continues to evolve, presenting ongoing challenges and debates for policymakers, legal professionals, and those navigating the system.
In such a fast paced and dynamic environment, staying informed and up-to-date is more crucial than ever for legal professionals working in immigration law. This is where a subscription to Mastering Immigration Law proves invaluable. By providing the most current information and detailed explanations of rules, it adds significant value to everyday casework. Moreover, subscribers gain access to generous discounts on live online courses, ensuring continuous professional development (CPD) in this ever-evolving field.
For more information or to subscribe, visit here.
As migration policies face increasing scrutiny, removals of asylum seekers and visa overstayers continue to rise. In this challenging climate, HJT’s live online course, Deportation of Foreign National Criminals: Powers, Prevention, and Persuasion, is more relevant than ever.
Join expert Barrister Sandara Akinbolu for a comprehensive update on the current deportation regime. Learn to master legal protections and perfect your appeal techniques in this essential session.
To book your spot, visit here
For more information on our other live sessions, visit here
For enquiries, contact us enquiries@hjt-training.co.uk or call 075441 64692.
For the full list of updates on media news, reports and Home Office Guidance and Policy updates, see below.
Immigration News
Home Secretary Orders Review of IT, Telecom, and Engineering Recruitment Practices – UKVI
On August 6, 2024, the Home Secretary tasked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) with examining international recruitment and immigration in key sectors. The initial focus will be on IT, telecommunications, and engineering – industries heavily dependent on foreign talent. This marks the beginning of a series of sector-specific reviews aimed at assessing the UK’s reliance on international workforce.
For full report click here
NGOs call Home Office ‘unethical’ over £15m offer to help resettle deportees – Guardian News
The Home Office has been accused of “cynical” and “unethical” behaviour after offering millions of pounds to refugee charities to help settle newly deported people.A government contract put out to tender earlier this month offers to pay £15m over three years to NGOs who work with people being removed from the UK to 11 countries, including Ethiopia, Iraq and Zimbabwe.
For full report click here
Iraqi refugee wins legal battle to prove he was a child when he arrived in UK – Guardian News
A child refugee who fled Iraq has won a three-year legal battle to prove he was only 16 when he arrived undocumented in the UK, not eight to 10 years older, as British officials claimed, citing his facial hair and broad shoulders.
For full report, click here
John Major criticises Rwanda asylum plan as ‘un-Conservative and un-British – Guardian News
John Major has criticised the former Conservative government’s Rwanda scheme, saying it was unsuitable for the 21st century and was “un-Conservative and un-British”.
For full report, click here
Parents forced from small boat plead to join children taken to UK without them – Guardian News
Two parents separated from their children while attempting to cross the Channel by small boat have urged the Home Office to allow them to reunite in the UK after two months apart.
The children, aged five and nine, are in foster care in Britain; their parents are in France.
For full report, click here
Giorgia Meloni: Starmer showed great interest in our Albania migration deal – Guardian News
Keir Starmer has shown “great interest” in the Italy-Albania migration deal, the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has said, as the UK vowed to send £4m to support her controversial crackdown on irregular migration.
Speaking at a press conference in Rome, the prime minister agreed with Meloni, stressing the importance of the relationship betwen the UK and Italy.
For full report, click here
Doctor who feared having to leave UK after visa blow wins Home Office U-turn – Guardian News
A doctor from Pakistan who feared he would have to leave his job at a GP surgery in east London is celebrating after a Home Office U-turn over a decision that would have separated him from his family.
For full report, click here
Ex-police chief named head of UK’s border security command – Guardian News
The appointment of a former police chief to head the new border security command shows ministers are making serious attempts to stop unofficial Channel crossings rather than the “gimmicks” of the last government, the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said.
For full report, click here
Valued doctor ‘will be forced to leave UK’ after autistic daughter refused visa – Guardian News
An experienced and highly regarded doctor who is working at a GP surgery in east London says he has no choice but to walk away from his job because the Home Office is separating him from his wife and autistic daughter.
For full report, click here
Starmer under pressure to distance UK from Italy’s hard-right immigration plans – Guardian News
Keir Starmer is under pressure from Labour backbenchers and NGOs to distance his government from Giorgia Meloni’s hard-right immigration policies on the eve of bilateral talks in Rome.
For full report, click here
Eight people dead in attempt to cross Channel, say French authorities – Guardian News
Eight people died overnight trying to cross the Channel from France to England, French regional authorities have said, as the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, said the government could follow Italy’s lead and process asylum claimants in a third country.
For full report, click here
Only one change made at ‘toxic’ migrant centre – BBC News UK
The government has only agreed to one out of 33 recommendations made by a public inquiry into abuse at the Brook House Immigration Removal Centre, according to its chair.
For full report, click here
How many people cross the Channel in small boats and how many claim asylum? – BBC News UK
Dozens of people have drowned trying to cross the English Channel during 2024. 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
Planning to visit UK in 2025? Make sure you meet this new requirement – The International News
Starting from 2025, travelling to the United Kingdom will become more challenging for European travellers as a result of a new travel rule, which will be implemented by the next year.
Currently, citizens of the European Union enjoy the privilege of entering the UK without a visa or any additional fees. However, this is all about to change by April 2025, as the country’s government plans to introduce a new travel rule by then, CNN reported.
For full report, click here
Case Law
Adegboyega v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024] EWHC 2365 (KB)
The court awarded £203,995.24 in damages to Ibukun Adegboyega, who was unlawfully detained for 88 days in 2017 at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre. The Home Office failed to recognize Mr. Adegboyega’s rights as the spouse of an EU citizen, despite having evidence of this. The court found the detention conditions violated Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (inhuman/degrading treatment). Mr. Adegboyega was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his detention. The damages included compensatory, exemplary and aggravated damages for unlawful detention, breach of EU treaty rights, psychiatric injury, and violation of Article 3.
The judge was highly critical of the Home Office’s conduct, finding it had acted in an “outrageous, oppressive and unconstitutional manner” in repeatedly denying Mr. Adegboyega’s rights over several years.
For full decision, click here
Home Office Guidance And Documents Policy Updates
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors workers has been updated on 18th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors students has been updated on 18th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Using your UK Visas and Immigration account has been updated on 18th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: eVisa community support for vulnerable people has been updated on 18th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Online immigration status (EVisa) has been updated on 18th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Request copies of your personal immigration and borders information has been updated on 17th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Iraq country policy and information notes has been updated on 17th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Changes to the commercial partner visa application services has been updated 17th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: EU asylum migration and integration fund activities has been updated on 16th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Collection: Archive Immigration Rules has been update on 13th September 2024. To view the updated Collection , click here
Guidance: Immigration Rules archive 6 June 2024 to 9 September 2024 has been updated on 13th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Immigration Rules archive 16 May 2024 to 5 June 2024 has been updated on 13th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Written by Shareen Khan
STAY TUNED FOR MORE IMMIGRATION NEWS NEXT WEEK!
