Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 4 October 2024
In a turn of event this week in UK immigration, witnessed a significant drop in Channel crossings, with September 2024 marking the lowest number of arrivals in four years. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has attributed this decline to Labour’s newly implemented border security measures, suggesting a potential shift in the longstanding migration debate.
According to recent data, only 4,190 migrants made the perilous journey across the Channel in September, a notable decrease from the 4,729 recorded in the same month last year. This reduction comes in the wake of Labour’s comprehensive strategy to address irregular migration, which includes the establishment of a new Border Security Command unit and increased cooperation with European partners.
The Labour government has introduced a multi-faceted approach, focusing on reinforcing detention and removal capacity, as well as enhancing international collaboration. Key initiatives include the reopening of Immigration Removal Centres and the creation of a specialised Returns and Enforcement Unit. However, experts caution that these measures alone may not provide a complete solution to the complex issue of migration.
In contrast, former Conservative UK immigration minister Robert Jenrick has proposed more stringent measures, including cutting aid to countries that refuse to accept failed asylum seekers. Jenrick’s plan, aimed at increasing deportations by 100,000 annually, has raised eyebrows among human rights advocates.
Amidst these policy debates, recent research has highlighted the potential mental health implications of migration, particularly for adolescents. Studies suggest an increased risk of psychosis among young migrants, with a pronounced effect observed in black and North African communities.
The ongoing impact of Brexit on migration patterns remains a point of interest. The British Youth Mobility Scheme, which allowed 23,000 young people to work in the UK last year, represents only a fraction of overall net migration. This has sparked discussions about potentially expanding the scheme to include EU countries in the future.
As the UK grapples with such migration challenges, the recent decline in Channel crossings reflects the long-term effectiveness of current strategies and their impact on humanitarian implications.
In a recent legal development that may impact the government’s stringent approach to overstayers and increased detention efforts, the High Court has delivered a noteworthy judgment in the case of R (Nakrasevicius) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024]. The court ordered the release of a detainee held for non-immigration reasons, specifically Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings, deeming the continued detention likely unlawful after the individual had withdrawn his EU Settlement Scheme application.
This ruling underscores the complex interplay between immigration control and broader legal proceedings, potentially challenging the current government’s hardline stance on detention and removal.
The judgment also established that First-tier Tribunal bail is not always a suitable alternative to High Court challenges in such cases and reaffirmed the Home Office’s obligation to provide accommodation under certain circumstances.
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.
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For the full list of updates on UK Immigration media news, reports and Home Office Guidance and Policy updates, see below.
UK Immigration News
Yvette Cooper ‘turning the tide’ on small boats as crossings drop to lowest level in 4 years- The London Economic
Yvette Cooper believes she is turning the tide on Channel crossings after numbers dropped to their lowest level in four years in September. Following several years of Tory grandstanding on small boats, it looks as though Labour’s plans to bring numbers down have started to bear fruit. Just 4,190 migrants made the crossing across the Channel in September, down from 4,729 in 2023 and the lowest number of arrivals in four years.
For full report, click here
Migration during adolescence linked to increased psychosis risk, study finds – The Guardian
People who migrate in adolescence have an increased risk of psychosis, researchers have found, noting the link is particularly strong among black and north African people. While research has previously suggested migration could play a role in the increased risk of psychosis among people from ethnic minorities, the study suggests age could be an important factor.
For full report, click here
Aim for 70% tertiary education take up by 2040, say UK university chiefs – The Guardian
The “blueprint for change” published by Universities UK (UUK), which represents vice-chancellors, wants the 70% target to be supported by grants paid to disadvantaged students and a new “tertiary education opportunity fund” for areas with low rates of university and college enrolments.
For full report, click here
Focus on UK Visas for Indians As Tory Leadership contest enters last leg – NDTV World
The two frontrunners in the race to replace Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader and take his place in the House of Commons as Leader of the Opposition have thrown the spotlight on cutting immigration into the UK, with visas for Indians being singled out in heated debates.
For full report, click here
Robert Jenrick vows to cut aid to countries that do not take back refused asylum seekers- The Guardian
Robert Jenrick has said he would cut off aid from countries that do not take back people who fail in their asylum claims, as part of a package of measures designed to bolster his anti-immigration reputation in the final stages of the Tory leadership race.
The former immigration minister said he would withdraw money and visas from countries which do not accept those who are rejected by the UK as part of a plan to increase the number of people being deported by 100,000 a year. The plan would also see asylum seekers from at least three new countries barred altogether.
For full report, click here
Home Office forced to release critical report on origins of Windrush scandal – The Guardian
The Home Office has been forced to release a suppressed report on the origins of the Windrush scandal by a tribunal judge who quoted George Orwell in a judgment criticising the department’s lack of transparency. For the past three years, Home Office staff have worked to bury a hard-hitting research paper that states that roots of the scandal lay in 30 years of racist immigration legislation designed to reduce the UK’s non-white population.
For full report, click here
Just 23,000 people came to UK last year on youth mobility visas – The Guardian
Just 23,000 people came to the UK last year to work as part of the British youth mobility scheme, a fraction of the overall net migration figure, which may allay fears in the Labour government as it comes under pressure to let in young EU holiday workers. The YMS allows people from 12 countries to come to the UK for a two- or three-year period to work. Since Brexit, no exchange programme has existed with the EU.
For full report, click here
Six-year ban for Indian restaurant director caught employing illegal workers – UKVI
The director of an Indian restaurant in south-east London has been banned as a company director for six years after employing two illegal workers. Miah, of Deal Street, London, was the sole director of the restaurant, trading under the company name I Naga Zaal Ltd, since July 2022. Immigration Enforcement carried out an operation at the restaurant in February 2023, finding two men in their 30s and 40s with no right to work in the UK.
For full report, click here
Case Law
R (Nakrasevicius) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024] EWHC 1856 (Admin)
In a significant ruling, the High Court mandated the release of a detainee held for non-immigration reasons, specifically Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings. The court found that continuing detention after the individual had withdrawn his EU Settlement Scheme application was likely unlawful, as it served purposes beyond immigration control.
The judgement also clarified that First-tier Tribunal bail wasn’t always an appropriate alternative to High Court challenges and established the Home Office’s duty to provide accommodation in such cases.
For full decision, click here
Independent Reports
Securing Access To Justice: The Need For Legal Aid In Immigration
The joint briefing by Migrants Organise, JCWI, and over 60 other organisations highlights the ongoing crisis in the UK’s civil legal aid system, particularly for immigration cases. It outlines how the LASPO Act of 2012 significantly reduced legal aid eligibility, leaving many without proper legal support. The briefing calls for urgent reforms to address these issues and improve access to immigration legal aid.
For full report, click here
Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 13 of 2024–25
The Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill [HL], introduced by Baroness Hamwee, aims to broaden the definition of family members for refugees and those granted humanitarian protection. It also proposes to reinstate legal aid for family reunion cases. The bill’s second reading in the House of Lords is set for 18 October 2024.
For full report, click here
Home Office Guidance & Policy Document Updates
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors workers has been updated on 2nd October 2024.To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors students has been updated on 2nd October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Zimbabwe tuberculosis test clinics for a UK Immigration visa has been updated on 1st October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and leaving care funding instructions has been updated on 1st October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme: community support for vulnerable citizens has been updated on 1st October 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Endorsing bodies Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas has been updated on 1st October 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 30th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Document checks and charges for carriers has been updated on 30th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: UK visa requirements: list for carriers has been updated on 30th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Information booklet for asylum applications has been updated on 27th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Written by Shareen Khan
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