Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 28 February 2025
We end the week on a positive note for the agricultural sector. In a significant move for the sector, Environment Secretary Steve Reed has announced a five-year extension to the seasonal farm worker scheme. The announcement is part of a broader effort to mend relations with farmers following recent controversies surrounding inheritance tax changes. The extension provides much-needed clarity for both farmers and immigration advisors working with clients in the agricultural sector. However, concerns about worker welfare within the scheme persist. According to the Worker Support Centre (WSC), a Scotland-based NGO supporting seasonal workers across the UK, significant issues remain regarding fair compensation. Of the 99 workers who contacted the WSC with pay issues last year, more than half reported non-payment due to measurement practices based on product picked. This system has resulted in substantial periods of work time—such as movement between workstations or attendance at team meetings—going unpaid.
Alongside the farm worker scheme extension, Reed also announced the opening of a new national biosecurity centre focused on tackling diseases including foot-and-mouth and bluetongue. This development will have indirect implications for immigration advisors working with clients in agricultural and veterinary sectors, potentially affecting visa requirements for specialists in these fields.
The humanitarian situation in the Channel has reached a grim milestone, as the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) Missing Migrants Project has recorded the highest number of deaths and missing persons in the Channel last year. The sobering statistics reveal that 82 people lost their lives attempting to cross, with at least 14 of these being children—also a record high. These figures highlight the humanitarian crisis and the perilous journeys asylum seekers face, stressing the need for safe and legal routes to the UK.
The UK Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in N3 & ZA v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] UKSC 6 establishes that withdrawn citizenship deprivation orders should be treated as having had no effect. This “middle position” prevents compensation claims for detention during the order’s enforcement while protecting citizenship rights and upholding obligations against statelessness. The Court confirmed the Secretary of State need only be “satisfied” orders won’t cause statelessness, rejecting the “precedent fact” argument. Practically, both appellants retained British citizenship throughout, meaning ZA acquired citizenship by descent at birth despite being born during her father’s deprivation order.
The High Court has rejected a Tamil refugee’s challenge to remain in the UK from Diego Garcia in R (KP) v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs & Anor [2025] EWHC 370 (Admin). Despite acknowledging the refugee’s protection needs, mental health issues and suicide risk, the court granted ministers a “wide margin” to balance these against public safety concerns. The judgment deemed seeking a third-country solution reasonable, but warned the position could become “unsustainable” if no country accepts KP soon, suggesting advisors should monitor similar cases closely for potential future challenges.
In Secretary of State for the Home Department v PG [2025] EWCA Civ 133, the Court of Appeal allowed the Home Secretary’s appeal regarding a Sri Lankan asylum seeker claiming protection based on sexual orientation. The Court ruled that both tribunals had improperly departed from the LH & IP country guidance without sufficient reasoning. The judgment emphasizes that departing from established guidance requires careful analysis of new evidence and “sufficiently strong grounds.” The Court criticized representatives for submitting almost 1,000 pages of largely irrelevant evidence, reminding practitioners to take a more focused approach when challenging country guidance cases.
In light of these significant developments—from the Supreme Court’s ruling on citizenship deprivation to complex asylum cases and record-high Channel crossing fatalities—practitioners must stay equipped with effective strategies to protect vulnerable clients.
HJT’s upcoming live online course, UKVI Removals: Updates & Contesting Challenges, offers timely expertise on mounting urgent challenges against removal actions. Barrister David Jones will offer practical insights on removal window policies and human rights arguments relevant to complex removal cases. This training is essential for advisors working with clients affected by the increasingly stringent enforcement measures shaping the UK’s immigration practice in 2025.
Don’t miss out on this essential training opportunity. Places are limited, to book your spot, visit here
For more information on our other live online courses, visit here
Additionally, all significant updates on Rules, Case Law and procedural changes are covered comprehensively in Mastering Immigration Law. The comprehensive resource ensures immigration advisors can meet the everyday challenges through effective interpretation of the legal resources to accelerate their case successes.
For enquiries and FREE DEMO, 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
Record number of children died crossing Channel last year, says UN – The Guardian
Last year, the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) Missing Migrants Project recorded the highest number of deaths and missing persons in the Channel, with 82 people losing their lives, at least 14 of whom were children – also a record high.
For full report, click here
UK’s seasonal farm worker scheme to be extended for five years – The Guardian
The environment secretary, Steve Reed, is to announce a five-year extension of the seasonal farm worker scheme to reset relations with farmers after fury over inheritance tax.
Making his pitch to farmers at the National Farmers’ Union conference in central London on Tuesday, Reed will also announce the opening of a new national biosecurity centre to tackle diseases including foot-and-mouth and bluetongue.
For full report, click here
‘Exploited’ migrant farm workers in UK paid for picks, not hours – The Guardian
The Worker Support Centre (WSC), a Scotland-based NGO which supports seasonal workers across the UK, said that of the 99 workers who contacted them with pay issues last year, more than half reported non-payment due to the measurement of product picked, resulting in large chunks of time – such as that spent moving between workstations or in team meetings – being unaccounted for and unpaid.
For full report, click here
People smuggler jailed over small boats operation – BBC News UK
A “prolific” people smuggler who played a key role in a £1.5m operation to transport migrants across the English Channel in small boats has been jailed for four years and 10 months. Pistiwan Jameel, from Birmingham, referred to migrants as “pigeons” and “sticks” and used his contacts with gangs in northern France to arrange journeys for clients, his trial had heard.
For full report, click here
The impact of the rising cost of immigration – People Management
UK immigration costs are much higher than those in many other countries, including Canada, Germany, France and the US, even when stripping out the IHS charge. There is a case for, at the very least, a lengthy pause in the seemingly relentless rise in immigration fees or, at best, a more dynamic immigration fee system that can prioritise potential growth sectors of the economy with lower visa costs.
For full report, click here
How Will the New ETA Requirement Impact European Travelers to the UK? What You Need to Know About the Latest Immigration Update – Travel and Tour World
European travellers will need to apply for an ETA online by filling out a form and paying a £10 fee. However, the cost is expected to rise to £16 later in 2025. Once the application is submitted, most travellers will receive a decision within a few hours, though some may need to wait up to three business days. The approval, once granted, will allow for multiple entries into the UK, with stays up to six months, and will be valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
For full report, click here
Case Law
N3 & ZA (Appellants) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Respondent) [2025] UKSC 6
The Supreme Court ruled that withdrawn citizenship deprivation orders must be treated as having had no effect for determining citizenship status during the period they were in force. Taking a “middle position,” the Court held that this interpretation protects the fundamental right of citizenship while still permitting lawful immigration enforcement during that period. The Court rejected the argument that absence of statelessness is an objective prerequisite for valid deprivation orders, confirming the Secretary of State need only be “satisfied” about this subjectively. Consequently, ZA automatically acquired British citizenship at birth through her father, whose citizenship is now recognised as having remained intact throughout.
For full decision, click here
R (oao) APD v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWHC 246 (Admin).
The High Court’s provided the first judicial interpretation of section 4L of the British Nationality Act 1981, which allows registration as a British citizen in “special circumstances.” The court confirmed the provision’s discretionary nature, establishing that the “but for” causation test requires prediction rather than speculation, and doesn’t demand a direct connection between the act/omission and citizenship loss. While acknowledging Home Office errors (like misinterpreting EEA law) can qualify under section 4L(1)(b), the court will only intervene if decisions are irrational. This opens potential pathways for applicants prevented from obtaining British citizenship due to official errors, particularly where naturalisation is no longer possible, though applicants must demonstrate they would have sought citizenship promptly.
For full decision, click here
R (KP) v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs & Anor [2025] EWHC 370 (Admin)
The High Court dismissed a challenge to the government’s refusal to relocate a Tamil refugee with criminal convictions from Diego Garcia to the UK. Despite KP’s recognised need for international protection, complex mental health issues and risk of suicide, the court found ministers were entitled to a “wide margin” when balancing risks to the claimant against public safety concerns and potential undermining of UK commitments to tackle violence against women. Using a heightened “anxious scrutiny” standard, the court nonetheless concluded the decision to seek a third-country solution rather than UK admission fell “within the range of reasonable decisions,” even whilst acknowledging significant difficulties in finding a willing host country. The judgment noted that if no third country accepts KP soon, the current position may become “unsustainable” and vulnerable to further challenge.
For full decision, click here
Secretary of State for the Home Department v PG [2025] EWCA Civ 133
The Court of Appeal upheld the Home Secretary’s appeal ruling that both tribunals failed to provide adequate reasons for departing from the LH & IP country guidance on risk to gay men in Sri Lanka. The judgment emphasised that tribunals must specifically identify new evidence not considered in the original guidance and demonstrate strong grounds for departing from it. The case was remitted to the Upper Tribunal, with the Court criticising the unfocused approach of submitting excessive irrelevant evidence when challenging country guidance.
For full decision, click here
Independent Reports
Punishing the victim: How the UK’s broken asylum system fails the people it should protect
The Public Law Project and MiCLU report identifies five critical failures in the UK asylum system: the “legal aid desert” limiting access to representation; unsafe conditions for traumatic disclosures; poor Home Office decision-making with extensive delays; inadequate financial support; and policies pushing returns to unsafe countries. It specifically highlights how Albanians are being scapegoated despite genuine risks of blood feuds, LGBTQ+ persecution and modern slavery, with Section 59 of the Border Security Bill set to make their claims generally inadmissible.
For full report, click here
Home Office Guidance and Documents Policy Updates
Guidance: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) has been updated on 26th February 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: workers has been updated on 26th February 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: students has been updated on 26th February 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Request copies of your personal immigration and borders information has been updated on 25th February 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Zimbabwe: tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 24th February 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Powers and operational procedure: caseworker has been updated on 24th February 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Exclusion from the UK – decisions and orders: caseworker has been updated on 24th February 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Administrative review: caseworker has been updated on 21st February 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Written by Shareen Khan – Legal Content Writer, HJT Training
STAY TUNED FOR MORE IMMIGRATION NEWS NEXT WEEK!
Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration advisors should consult the full decisions and official policy documents when advising clients on specific cases.
