Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 6 June 2025
The UK Government is preparing to announce significant changes to overseas recruitment for care workers, as part of its upcoming immigration white paper. This is a major policy shift in response to historically high net migration figures. As well as pressure to address the treatment of not just overseas care workers, but also the perceived exploitation and abuse of these workers highlighted in recent news coverage. Although these workers have been essential to providing social care services in the UK, it is clear the Government is seeking to address net immigration and the treatment of overseas workers by implementing this policy change. Immigration advisers may want the care sector clients to brace themselves for possible restrictions on pathways to overseas recruitment and may not have clarity, until the timing of the white paper is relayed through Parliament.
Recent enforcement actions illustrate the Government’s willingness to punish employers for breaching immigration law. In fact, Portofino Italiana, an Italian restaurant in New Brighton, received a £180,000 fine for employing workers who did not have documentation to allow them to work, in the latest data published by the Government regarding civil penalties for employing illegal workers. Enforcement actions also led to a business owner in Suffolk receiving a financial penalty but went a step further and impacted them personally. The owner of Vito’s Car Care, for example, was banned from acting as a company director for seven years after employing four Romanian nationals without authorisation to work. Additionally, the business received a £180,000 fine which remains unpaid.
Similarly, in Suffolk, enforcement activity generated financial penalties and personal consequences for a business owner. The owner of Vito’s Car Care was disqualified from acting as a company director for seven years after employing four Romanian nationals that had no work authorisation. Vito’s Car Care also accrued a £180,000 financial penalty, which is still outstanding.
The Home Office has reported that the French authorities are advancing the development of new tactics to intercept small boat carries asylum seekers either by intercepting them at sea or by intervening as they are at sea. This is an escalation of cross-Channel enforcement cooperation in which the French authorities have indicated they may operate in coastal waters and inland waterways. While several humanitarian organisations raised concerns regarding the safety risks of these types of interventions, the French authorities reportedly agreed this week to develop comprehensive plans for operations including these enhanced interventions. These developments may have implications for the timing and success rates of Channel crossings, and therefore on the asylum caseload and related processing.
The investigation of visa decision-making processes has gained greater prominence after the refusal of Nigerian national who has verifiable business ties, and substantial family connections in the UK but he was refused a visit visa in the UK, raising concerns of discriminatory practices in visa processing, with a specific note on Nigerian applicants. His case is significant in part because of his professional position and related to the fact that his family in the UK work in migration support roles. The case is a reminder that even simple applications can be refused, and applicants with strong profiles can and do face obstacles in the current processing context.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced proposals for new legislation, which aims to fast-track removals of asylum seekers from safe arrival countries. The proposed law would simplify processing, appeals and removal processes for this type of claimant, with a view to severely reducing the time spent in the asylum system. There have been concerns as regards the level of quality in decision-making with expedited processing, noting the measures would be aimed at those considered unsuitable for being in the asylum system, including unregulated periods. Immigration practitioners should keep a close watch on this legislation as it could materially impact timescales and processes for asylum claims of certain categories.
Operational pressures within the system seem to be rising, with the migrant processing facility at Manston in Kent facing capacity issues after a record small boat arrival. Staff were asked to do more hours over the weekend to help with the increased throughput as some contractors, management and training corporation, are asking for more over time. Crossing numbers on Saturday exceeded 1,100 people, the highest single day total so far this year, again reflecting high demand on processing infrastructure. There also appears to be potential delays on initial processing as well.
Law enforcement activity aimed at organised immigration crime remains ongoing with a series of coordinated raids at multiple locations resulting in the arrest of six individuals who are suspected to engage in people smuggling. This operation carried out in Cheltenham, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Bradford targets a group suspected to provide migrants false identity documents. The enforcement activity shows ongoing focus to disrupt organised immigration crime involving five men and one woman even though there is little more known about the particular allegations.
For UK-EU relations, satellite airport is allowing UK citizens to use automated e-gates at Faro Airport in Portugal this week, which represents the first benefit in terms of tangible outcomes of recent diplomatic conversations. The arrangement follows the historic EU agreement that was signed on 19 May, also highlighting benefits for UK interests in relation to a broad range of areas including border processing. While this development may indicate that more similar arrangements may be available at other EU airports, no further locations have been confirmed.
Important to note at this point that, starting June 2, 2025, the UK Government are no longer accepting the expired Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) as acceptable evidence of immigration status when entering the UK. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will replace BRP cards (physical IDs) with electronic visas (eVisas). Travelers will need an eVisa and their travel document to demonstrate permission to enter the UK. Join expert Barrister Sandra Akinbolu of 36 Public Group for HJT’s timely live online course on Travelling to the EU and Schengen Area. This core training covers Schengen area requirements, non-Schengen EU countries, work and study limitations, and signposting for appeals and challenges. Limited places available to ensure the quality of delivery. Register today and gain the assurance to advise your clients about the transformed travel environment with confidence. For booking, visit here
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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
Overseas recruitment for care workers to end – UKVI News
The government’s immigration white paper, will include the change as the government takes action to bring down historically high levels of net migration. Care workers from overseas have made a huge contribution to social care in the UK, but too many have been subject to shameful levels of abuse and exploitation.
For full report, click here
Restaurant fined £180,000 for illegal workers – Echo
Portofino Italiana, an Italian restaurant on Marine Promenade in New Brighton was fined £180,000 last year for employing people illegally. The restaurant was named in the latest data published by the government for illegal working civil penalties.
For full report, click here
Seven-year ban for Suffolk car wash owner who employed illegal workers – UKVI News
The owner of a Suffolk hand car wash has been banned as a company director for seven years after employing four illegal workers. Immigration Enforcement officials found the four Romanian men aged between 18 and 49 with no right to work in the UK when they visited the car wash in April last year. Vito’s Car Care was fined £180,000 for the immigration breach. The fine currently remains unpaid.
For full report, click here
France plans to begin intercepting small boats at sea, says UK Home Office – The Guardian
The French government plans to begin intercepting small boats carrying asylum seekers even if they are already at sea, a Home Office source has said. In a move that NGOs claim will endanger lives, it was claimed that French officials agreed this week to draw up plans to begin intervening in waters close to beaches and inland canals.
For full report, click here
Home Office accused of ‘racist crackdown’ on Nigerians after denial of visit visa – The Guardian
The Home Office has been accused of a “racist crackdown on Nigerians” after refusing a visa to a man who runs one of the west African country’s top security firms for a holiday to see his family.
Samuel Onyekachi Ibeawuchi runs BKay Security Ltd, which provides close protection for high-profile people in Nigeria and abroad. He and his wife, a successful businesswoman, had applied to come to the UK with their 18-month-old child for three weeks in the summer so they could spend time with his sister, Hope Ibeawuchi-Beales, and her husband, Nick Beales, who is head of campaigning at Ramfel, which supports vulnerable migrants.
For full report, click here
UK ministers draw up law to fast-track removal of migrants arriving from ‘safe’ countries – The Guardian
A new law to fast-track the removal of asylum seekers who arrive from countries deemed to be safe is being drawn up by ministers, prompting concerns that thousands of claimants may not be given a fair hearing. Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, said she would legislate to speed up the processing, appeals and deportation of people “who should not be sitting in the asylum system for a long time”.
For full report, click here
Manston staff asked to work overtime amid record number of small boat arrivals – The Guardian
Staff at the Manston migrant processing centre in Kent have been asked to work overtime to deal with the record number of small boat arrivals, the Guardian has learned. The 11th-hour appeal to staff on Saturday evening to work was circulated by Management And Training Corporation (MTC), one of the Home Office’s contractors on the site near Ramsgate, due to concerns about not having enough staff on duty.
For full report, click here
Suspected people-smuggling gang arrested in raids – BBC News UK
Six people suspected to be part of a people-smuggling gang supplying fake identities to illegal migrants have been arrested. The Home Office said that five men and one woman were arrested in dawn raids on Tuesday in Cheltenham, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Bradford.
For full report, click here
France reviewing small boat policing tactics, Cooper says – BBC News UK
The French government is reviewing its policies to tighten up policing around small boats, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has told MPs. Cooper faced criticism after more than 1,100 migrants crossed the Channel on Saturday – the highest number recorded on a single day so far this year.
For full report, click here
Is the government meeting its pledges on illegal immigration and asylum? – BBC News UK
The Prime Minister has made tackling illegal immigration and “restoring order” to the asylum system a priority for the government. Sir Keir Starmer has promised to “smash the gangs”. It follows predecessor Rishi Sunak’s pledge to “stop the boats”.
For full report, click here
First EU airport to allow e-gate access for British citizens this week, minister confirms – SKY news
Faro Airport in Portugal will open up its e-gates to Britons from “this week”, the government has announced. Speaking in the Commons, Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “The historic deal that we signed with the EU on 19 May is in our national interests, good for bills, borders and jobs.
For full report, click here
Independent Reports
Court of Appeal, Court of Appeal (Civil Division) Guide 2025
The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary has published the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) Guide 2025, providing updated procedural guidance for civil appeals based on Part 52 of the Civil Procedure Rules. The comprehensive guide clarifies the roles and requirements for applicants, appellants, and respondents throughout the appeal process, whilst including specific support for unrepresented litigants and a helpful glossary to improve accessibility for all users navigating the Court of Appeal system.
To access the full guide, click here
Professionals in IT and Engineering, Migration Advisory Committee, May 2025
The Migration Advisory Committee’s report, commissioned by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in August 2024, finds that IT and engineering sectors’ use of international recruitment is proportionate and compliant with immigration rules, addressing genuine UK labour market demands rather than over-reliance on overseas hiring. Whilst migrant workers in these sectors make a significantly positive fiscal contribution through higher wages and reduced public service usage, the MAC notes that domestic workers still comprise the vast majority of new hires, with international recruitment primarily filling skill shortages and accessing top talent.
For full report, click here
Home Office Guidance and Documents Policy Updates
Guidance: Immigration Act 2014 – appeals: caseworker has been updated on 4th June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: workers has been updated on 4th June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: students has been updated on 4th June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT) has been updated on 3rd June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Document checks and charges for carriers has been updated on 2nd June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Pakistan: country policy and information notes has been updated on 2nd June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Using your UK Visas and Immigration account has been updated on 2nd June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Check your eVisa is correct before you travel has been updated on 2nd June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Information booklet for asylum applications has been updated on 2nd June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Biometric residence permits: applicant and sponsor information has been updated on 02nd June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme has been updated on 2nd June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Travelling to the UK from Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey or Jersey has been updated on 2nd June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Indefinite leave to remain in the UK: your rights and status has been updated on 2nd June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Online immigration status (eVisa) has been updated on 2nd June 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Illegal working penalties: UK report has been updated on 31st May 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Illegal working civil penalties: anonymous UK report has been updated on 31st May 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Collection: eVisa support videos has been updated on 30th May 2025. To view the updated Collection, click here
Promotional material: Create, link and access your eVisa with no identity document: video has been published on 30th May 2025. To view the Promotional material click here
Guidance: The ethical decision-making model: caseworker has been updated on 30th May 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: eVisa: community support for vulnerable people has been updated on 30th May 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.
