News Update – 17 July 2026
Immigration and Asylum Bill
This week was dominated by the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which received its Second Reading in the House of Commons this week. Ahead of the debate, the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, tabled an amendment intended to enable the deportation of long-resident Commonwealth citizens convicted of the most serious offences.
The change responds directly to the case of Shabir Ahmed, a leader of the Rochdale grooming gang recently released after more than two decades in prison, whose removal is currently barred by protections in the Immigration Act 1971. The Government’s stated aim is to bring the grounds for deportation into line with those already capable of triggering the deprivation of British citizenship, covering conduct such as terrorism, child sexual exploitation and human trafficking, while preserving protection for that generation of arrivals in all but the gravest circumstances. Advisers should note the practical caveat that removal in Ahmed’s own case remains uncertain, given Pakistan’s indicated reluctance to accept his return.
The amendment sits within a broader package. The Bill also revisits the way courts apply Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in deportation and immigration matters, sets out a new structure for asylum appeals, and introduces further legal routes, including a refugee sponsorship scheme. Its most contested element, however, is the proposal to extend the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years.
That reform does not require primary legislation and is expected to be finalised later in the year following consultation, but the question of retrospective effect remains live. Almost eighty Labour MPs have written to Andy Burnham, the incoming Prime Minister, urging that the longer wait should not apply to those already in the country; Burnham is nonetheless expected to support the bulk of the reforms and to retain Mahmood at the Home Office.
Part 1 of the same Bill drew a pointed response from the Bar Council, which issued a briefing for the Second Reading. Its principal concern is the proposed Independent Immigration Appeals Authority, a body that would replace the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber).
The Bar Council opposes the axing judges from the proposed New Appeals Body
The Bar Council objects that appeal could be decided by adjudicators holding no legal qualification, appointed through the new Authority rather than by the Lord Chancellor, with the first Chair appointed by the Home Secretary, who is a party to every immigration appeal. It further warns against the removal of High Court supervision by judicial review, the transfer of rule-making from the independent Tribunal Procedure Committee to a board within the Authority, and ministerial control over expedited timetables.
Drawing on the reforms of 1987 and 1999, which respectively moved appointments to the Lord Chancellor and required adjudicators to be legally qualified, the Bar Council frames these proposals as a retreat from the separation of powers and from the guarantee of an effective remedy.
High Court Significant Judgement
In the other news, the High Court delivered a significant judgment this week, ruling unlawful the Home Secretary’s decision to curtail protections for potential victims of trafficking facing removal under the UK-France “one in, one out” returns arrangement. The claim was brought by five small-boat arrivals selected for return to France, four of them Eritrean nationals. At issue was a change in Guidance that had removed the ability of those refused trafficking protection to seek reconsideration of that refusal. Advisers should follow the Home Office’s response closely, as early indications suggest the Government intends to continue returns notwithstanding the ruling.
New Ministry of Justice figures show the asylum appeal backlog has reached a record high, with nearly 87,500 appeals outstanding by March 2026, despite a sharp fall in the initial-decision backlog. The Migration Observatory warned that faster processing and lower grant rates are shifting pressure into the appeals system, while most returns recorded since July 2024 were voluntary rather than enforced.
Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, HC 259
Finally, the Home Office published a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, HC 259, with provisions taking effect on 30 July and 3 August 2026. Among the amendments, Appendix Graduate will allow a child born in the UK during a parent’s Graduate route permission to apply as a dependant and receive leave in line with the parent, without opening the route to overseas dependants or to settlement.
The Part 8 provisions on children joining relatives replace the “serious and compelling circumstances” test with the clearer approach used in Appendix Child Relative. Under Appendix FM, partners of those holding temporary protection status will now be granted leave matching the remainder of the sponsor’s permission, and the care requirement in Appendix Children is extended to the Appendix FM child route.
Further targeted changes remove the fingerprint biometric requirement for EU Settlement Scheme travel permits, prevent applications under the Exception for Overstayers from being refused solely because the applicant is on immigration bail, extend the Diplomatic Visa Arrangement to eligible Indian diplomatic passport holders, and adjust the provisions for children of serving armed forces personnel.
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For the full list of updates on media news SEE BELOW
News
Immigration bill amendment will allow removal of Rochdale gang leader – The Guardian
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, will amend the immigration bill to allow the deportation of the Rochdale grooming gang, the first step in removing Shabir Ahmed from the UK. To view the full article, visit here
More than 16,000 refugees unable to reunite with families in UK, says Refugee Council – The Guardian
More than 16,000 refugees have been unable to reunite with families in the UK, leaving them either stuck in conflict zones or resorting to using people-smugglers to reach safety, according to the Refugee Council. To view the full article, visit here
Mahmood’s cutting of protections for UK-France ‘one in, one out’ asylum deal ruled unlawful – The Guardian
The home secretary’s decision to reduce protections for potential trafficking victims being considered for removal under the “one in, one out” asylum deal was unlawful, a high court judge has ruled. In a lengthy judgment, Mr Justice Sheldon found that Shabana Mahmood’s decision on the guidance was unlawful, prompting lawyers for some of those affected to call for their clients to be returned to the UK. To view the full article, visit here
No justification for axing judges from immigration tribunals – Bar Council
The Bar Council has expressed serious concerns about Government plans to replace the first-tier immigration tribunals decided by judges with an independent immigration appeals authority made up of trained lay people. To view the full article, visit here
What is the new £17 fee to visit Europe and when will it launch? – The Times
The new visa-waiver system for Europe, which will compel Britons to pay €20 (about £17), appears to have been officially postponed, with the planned date for implementation now absent from the Etias website. The system, which works in conjunction with the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), was originally due to be rolled out in the last quarter of 2026, but all mention of the timeline has disappeared from the EU’s official Etias website. It’s understood the implementation problems with EES are behind the postponement. To view the full article, visit here
Scotland’s international net migration at lowest level in five years – BBC News
Scotland’s population grew by less than 0.1% in the year to mid-2025, with international net migration at its lowest level in five years, official statistics, external reveal. Figures published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) shows the country’s population was estimated to be 5,545,500 – an increase of 2,200. To view the full article, visit here
Asylum appeal backlog at record high, new figures show – BBC News
The backlog of asylum appeal cases has reached a new record high, according to Ministry of Justice figures. Nearly 87,500 appeals to overturn failed asylum applications had been lodged at the end of March 2026 – a 70% year-on-year increase. To view the full article, visit here
Statement of Changes updates Graduate and family immigration routes – UKVI
The Home Office has published Statement of Changes HC 259, introducing amendments to several immigration routes and related provisions. To view the Statement, visit here
Case Law
Mohammed Sury Dabo v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWCA Civ 907
The Court of Appeal confirmed that offending and imprisonment do not automatically break a person’s social and cultural integration in the UK; tribunals must assess integration holistically by considering relationships, upbringing, education, employment, offending, imprisonment and lifestyle at the hearing date. The judgment was highly fact-specific and does not mean deportation will normally be prevented by long residence, childhood arrival, mental illness or evidence of integration, so anyone facing deportation should urgently check appeal deadlines and seek advice on the evidence needed.
To read the full decision, visit here
Home Office Guidance and Policy Updates
Guidance: Youth Mobility Scheme visa: ballot system has been updated on 15th July 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors – workers has been updated on 15th July 2026. To view the updated guidance, visit here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors – students has been updated on 15th July 2026. To view the updated guidance, visit here
Caseworker Guidance: Global Business Mobility routes has been updated on 15th July 2026. To view the updated guidance, visit here
Guidance: India Young Professionals Scheme visa ballot system has been updated on 14th July 2026. To view the updated guidance, visit here
Guidance: China -tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 13th July 2026. To view the updated guidance, visit here
Collection: Independent Family Returns Panel reports has been updated on 13th July 2026. To view the updated guidance, visit here
Guidance: Windrush Compensation Scheme -full rules has been updated on 10th July 2026. To view the updated guidance, visit here
Guidance: Apply for a British Overseas Territory or Commonwealth country visa has been updated on 9th July 2026. To view the updated guidance, visit here
Collection: Immigration Rules – statement of changes has been updated on 9th July 2026. To view the updated collection, visit here
Transparency data: UK passport fees has been published on 8th July 2026. To view the updated collection, visit here