Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 5 September 2025
The Home Office has introduced two significant policy changes this week that will directly impact immigration practitioners. The most substantial development involves the temporary suspension of new refugee family reunion visa applications, effective immediately until spring 2026 when new immigration rules will be implemented.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper justified this suspension by citing exploitation by people smugglers and increasing pressure on local authority housing resources. The government noted a dramatic shift in application timing, with refugees now applying within one month of receiving status rather than the previous 18-month average, creating unexpected housing demands for local councils.
During the suspension period, refugees wishing to bring family members to the UK must navigate the standard family migration route instead. This alternative requires demonstrating a combined annual income of at least £29,000, presenting a significantly higher barrier than the suspended route. Refugee advocacy groups have strongly criticized this change, warning it could force vulnerable individuals toward dangerous smuggling operations and devastating outcomes for unaccompanied children seeking family reunification.
The government has announced several accompanying measures to address broader immigration challenges. A pilot “one in, one out” arrangement with France will begin this month, involving refugee exchanges between the two countries. Additionally, an independent body will be established to handle immigration and asylum appeals, addressing current waiting times that average 54 weeks. Prime Minister Kier Starmer has also signalled intentions to accelerate the closure of asylum hotels, potentially moving ahead of the original parliamentary term timeline.
For practitioners, these changes create immediate operational challenges. While applications submitted before the suspension should continue under existing rules, new cases will require guidance through the more restrictive family migration pathway. The reformed system expected in spring 2026 may follow European models like those in Denmark and Switzerland, where migrants must wait two years after receiving refugee status before applying for family reunion. Practitioners should begin preparing their practices for this extended timeline and the associated complexities it will introduce to family reunion cases.
In a parallel development affecting education practitioners, the Home Office has begun directly contacting approximately 130,000 international students to warn of removal if they overstay their visas. This campaign responds to what officials describe as an “alarming” spike in asylum claims from students whose visas have expired. The number of such claims reached 16,000 in 2024, nearly six times the 2020 figure.
The latest migration statistics reveal the dramatic shifts that have shaped recent Home Office policy decisions, with net migration falling nearly 50% to 431,000 in 2024 from its peak of 860,000 in December 2023. While student visa numbers dropped 18% and student dependants plummeted 81% following 2024 restrictions, the most striking change was the fivefold surge in refugee family reunion grants from 4,300 to 20,600, with 93% going to women and children, directly explaining the government’s decision to suspend this route. Across other categories, work visas fell 36% with health and social care experiencing a particularly steep 77% decline, while family visas decreased 15% despite the raised income threshold, and humanitarian routes contracted 33% as Ukraine Scheme activity reduced, painting a picture of an immigration system under considerable pressure that has prompted the current policy recalibration.
On the compliance front, a Solicitor has been removed from the roll following misconduct involving deliberate misrepresentation to a client. The concerned practitioner failed to disclose receipt of an adverse expert report for approximately eight weeks, instead informing the client that the document remained outstanding. The deception came to light when the client made direct contact with the solicitor’s secretary, who confirmed the report’s earlier receipt. The solicitor acknowledged the dishonesty before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and accepted that she was no longer fit to practise law.
This case serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining professional standards and ethical conduct in legal practice. HJT Training’s upcoming Essential Immigration Law Practice Skills: Professional Standards & Advocacy Excellence” course addresses precisely these challenges, covering effective client management systems, regulatory compliance, and ethical frameworks for maintaining professional privilege whilst managing complex client situations. For bookings, visit here
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For the full list of updates on media news, reports and Home Office Guidance and Policy updates, visit our blog HERE
Immigration News
Home Office tells foreign students they will be removed if they overstay visas – The Guardian
Tens of thousands of foreign students are to be contacted directly by the government and warned that they will be removed from the UK if they overstay their visas. The Home Office has launched the new campaign in response to what it has called an “alarming” spike in the number of international students arriving legally on student visas then claiming asylum when they expire. For full report, click here
Migration: How many people come to work and study in the UK? – BBC News UK
Home Office data shows the number of visas issued to people who wanted to work, study or join family members in the UK fell in the year to June 2025. Separate figures from the Office of National Statistics published in May showed that overall net migration to the UK decreased almost 50% to 431,000 in 2024. For full report, click here
UK drops refugee family reunion applications amid anti-immigration protests – Al Jazeera
The United Kingdom’s Labour government has said it is suspending a scheme enabling registered refugees to bring family members into the country amid soaring support for the far right in opinion polls. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced this week that she was “temporarily” suspending new applications to the refugee family reunion route as the government draws up new rules set to be introduced by spring next year. For full report, click here
Council leader calls for protests to end at Essex asylum hotel – The Guardian
An Essex council is asking protesters to end demonstrations outside a hotel housing asylum seekers as it continues to pursue legal action over the property. Chris Whitbread, the leader of Epping Forest, called for calm and said the Conservative-controlled council could ultimately seek permission to appeal against the overturning of a high court ban on the current use of the Bell. For full report, click here
Yvette Cooper accused of pushing children towards people smugglers by halting refugee scheme- The Guardian
Yvette Cooper has been accused of pushing children “into the arms of people smugglers” after halting the family reunion scheme allowing refugees to bring their families to the UK. For full report, click here
Yvette Cooper ordered to end detention of asylum seeker with schizophrenia – The Guardian
Yvette Cooper could face legal action over the decision to keep an asylum seeker with schizophrenia in prison. The High Court has ordered the Home Secretary to release the 25-year-old man by 8 September, and the Home Office may have to pay him damages for breaching his human rights. For full report, click here
Home Office bans asylum seekers from buying luxury goods and services – The Guardian
Quite how asylum seekers living in hotels who are banned from working but are provided with meals and receive £9.95 a week are expected to afford any luxuries is unclear. Similarly, those in self-catering accommodation who receive £49.18 a week may find it tricky to foot the bill for flowers (also on the list). For full report, click here
Reform UK councillor suspended from job at Home Office processing asylum claims – The Guardian
A local councillor for Reform UK who works for the Home Office processing asylum and immigration claims has been suspended from his job while an investigation is carried out, the Guardian has learned. Paul Bean, who serves as a councillor for Crook ward at Durham County council, declared his day job as a civil servant at the Home Office in his register of interests. For full report, click here
Minister orders immigration centre to remove ‘balloon craft’ job ads – The Guardian
Jobs aimed at improving the wellbeing of people at an immigration detention centre, including holding workshops in floristry and balloon craft, are unnecessary and should be removed, a government minister has said. The outsourcing firm Mitie, which manages the Heathrow immigration removal centre (IRC) in west London, listed several roles online, including a painting and decorating tutor and gym manager, for salaries ranging between £31,000 and £38,000. For full report, click here
How many people cross the Channel in small boats? – BBC News UK
More than 29,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel since the start of year. The latest Home Office statistics show that almost two-fifths of those who claimed asylum in the UK in the 12 months to June 2025 arrived via small boat. For full report, click here
Asylum hotels in Surrey and what happens next – BBC News UK
As protests against hotels housing asylum seekers, as well as counter-demonstrations, take place across England, we examine the situation in Surrey. Stanwell, near Staines, and Horley, near Gatwick, have both seen protests in the last few weeks, similar to demonstrations elsewhere in England and Scotland. For full report, click here
Motorcyclist on shopping trip arrested amid Labour’s crackdown on undocumented migrants – The Guardian
A motorcycle rider out on a shopping trip was arrested and detained for a month as part of a high-profile government crackdown on undocumented migrants working for food delivery apps. Fernando Fontoura, 33, who moved from Portugal to the UK when he was 12, was arrested by immigration enforcement officers after he parked his motorbike near a grocery store in south-east London on 22 July. He was taken to a detention centre near Gatwick airport where he was held for 29 days. For full report, click here
Solicitor ‘chickened out’ of telling client truth about her claim – Law Gazette
A solicitor who lied to her client to buy herself more time has accepted she should be struck off the roll. Laura Simpson, who worked for national firm Switalskis, admitted she ‘chickened out’ of telling the client the truth when presented with an expert’s report which undermined the case. The tribunal said: ‘Mrs Simpson was motivated by her desire to buy herself time with a client whom she described as “challenging”. Her conduct was planned and was in breach of the trust placed in her by [the client] to keep her apprised of progress on her case. For full report, click here
Case Law
R (BRO) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWHC 2231 (Admin)
The High Court has ordered the Home Office to provide accommodation in Scotland for an asylum seeker who had been unlawfully detained for 15 weeks despite being granted bail. The court found the continued detention violated his human rights due to the government’s failure to act quickly enough in securing suitable housing that met both his mental health needs and Scottish criminal licence conditions. For full decision, click here
Home Office Guidance and Documents Policy Updates
Guidance: Sri Lanka: country policy and information notes has been updated on 02nd September 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Criminal investigations – use of interpreters: caseworker has been updated on 02nd September 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: workers has been updated on 02nd September 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: students has been updated on 02nd September 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: eVisa: community support for vulnerable people has been updated on 01st September 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Statistical data set: Migration transparency data has been updated on 01st September 2025. To view the updated Statistical data set, click here
Collection: Country policy and information notes has been updated on 01st September 2025. To view the updated collection, click here
Guidance: France: country policy and information notes has been Published on 01st September 2025. To view the Published Guidance, click here
Correspondence: Updates on the move to eVisas has been updated on 01st September 2025. To view the updated Correspondence, click here
Form: Windrush Compensation Scheme has been updated on 01st September 2025. To view the updated form, click here
Guidance Illegal working penalties: UK report has been updated on 29th August 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Ghana: tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 29th August 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Written by Shareen Khan – Legal Content Writer, HJT Training
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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.
