The government’s effort to curb migrants entry in the UK through clandestine route continues this week. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak plans to ban channel migrants from appealing against deportation orders.. In parallel to this, Sunak also sets out a plan to withdraw the UK from ECHR, which if implemented, would leave asylum seekers with a limited capacity to justify their right to live with dignity, safety and respect. On a similar note, sources from the Guardian report Suella Braverman’s dream to deport migrants to Rwanda is likely to come in action this year.
In Business Immigration, an important reminder that the Home Office has confirmed updates to the Sponsor Licence regime. The Sponsor Guidance document published reflected these changes which include flexibility in start date, extended absences without pay, reductions in salary due to medical reasons not impacting employment to name a few.
Also, not to forget that in late 2023 the sponsor management system will be improved so that licence changes, such as adding users will be managed by sponsors.
Given the high demand for training due to the significant revisions to Sponsor Licence regime and yet the growing instructions in this area, HJT brings you its most sought Sponsor License Masterclass and Right to Work Checks. Special offer to book both courses, for more information e and coverage, click here
With the constant changes unfolding in UK immigration it can be hard to keep up with all the developments effectively on your own. To keep yourself fully updated on all aspects of UK immigration for your day-to-day casework and also cover your CPD throughout the year, sign up for our annual subscription of Mastering Immigration Law.
Curious? Why not sign up to a 21-day trial here and also get a FREE DEMO. See here for more details.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
SRA Webinar – Immigration services: getting it right for your vulnerable clients
Scheduled on Wednesday, 22nd February 2023, the focus of this webinar will be to train immigration advisors on delivering high level of good service to vulnerable immigration clients, in compliance with their updated Guidance. To book, click here
NEWS
Group charging migrants more than £1300 to cross the Channel in their boats sentenced – ITV News
Six members of a criminal smuggling network in France have been sentenced to 16 years in prison collectively. The investigation between the British National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Anglo-French Joint Intelligence Cell began in summer 2022, and the group’s operation was monitored by specialist immigration police until arrests were made last October. To read more, click here
Rishi Sunak ‘prepared to withdraw from European Convention on Human Rights’ – The Independent
Rishi Sunak could take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if the government plans to curb illegal migration are found to be unlawful. It comes as official estimates suggest 65,000 migrants are expected to arrive in the UK this year compared to the 45,000 who claimed asylum in 2022. To read the full article, click here
Suella Braverman’s Rwanda flight ‘dream’ could happen this year, sources say – The Guardian
Government sources said that even if there is a referral to the supreme court, Braverman’s team say that a deportation flight to the east African country may well take off before the next general election. To read the full article, click here
Britain is desperate for workers but Sunak won’t admit immigration is the answer – The Guardian
Post Brexit, health and care employers, farmers and builders struggle to fill vacancies while ministers demonise those who can help. To read the full article with views of Simon Jenkins, click here
Rishi Sunak wants to ban Channel migrants from deportation appeal – The Times
Rishi Sunak is gearing up for a battle with the courts over plans to prevent migrants who have crossed the Channel in small boats, from appealing against their deportation. The Home Office has drawn up two options to achieve the Prime Minister’s goal of automatically barring people who arrive in Britain illegally from claiming asylum. To read the full article, click here
Afghan refugees settled in London told to uproot families and move 200 miles – The Guardian
The Home Office has told 40 families with 150 children who have lived for more than a year in Kensington, West London, that they must leave the capital for another hotel in Wetherby, on the outskirts of Leeds. To read the full article, click here
Activists infiltrate Tory event to protest over missing asylum-seeking children- The Guardian
Campaigners infiltrated a Conservative party fundraiser demanding to know what happened to asylum-seeking children who have gone missing from hotels, and calling for the resignation of the immigration minister, Robert Jenrick. To read the full article, click here
Albanian children come to Britain for safety. Instead, they get Home Office cruelty – The Guardian
One of the most toxic narratives has been the idea that Albanian boys and men, as opposed to girls and women, aren’t “real” victims and aren’t in need of protection. To read the full article with views of David Neale, click here
Suella Braverman ‘More Determined’ to Detain Refugees – Huffington Post
Jess Phillips, the shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding accused the Home Secretary of being “missing in action” on the issue of violence against women and girls. To read the full article, click here
UK Lawmakers Attack HSBC’s Treatment of Hong Kong Immigrants – Bloomberg
A committee of UK lawmakers criticized HSBC Holdings Plc’s treatment of Hong Kong customers who have found it impossible to access their savings after moving to Britain. The politicians issued a 23-page report Wednesday accusing HSBC of aiding the Chinese government’s efforts to financially isolate Hong Kong citizens who had left the former British colony. To read the full article, click here
INDEPENDENT REPORTS
From Harm to Home: How the UK Government can strengthen refugee resettlement and integration, International Rescue Committee, February 2023
The IRC report proposes a three step plan in improving the UK’s current schemes to assist with refugee integration. In summary, the plan recommends to setting a target for resettling refugees, publishing a National integration strategy and thirdly by reinstating the post, Minister for Refugees. To download the report, click here
Qualification for International Protection – Judicial analysis, second edition European Union Agency for Asylum
The report by EUAA analyses the qualification for international protection under the EU’s Directive 2011/95/EU a.k.a. Qualification Directive (QD). It concerns qualification both for refugee status and for subsidiary protection status, and it reflects the law, as it stood in March 2022. To download the full report, click here
HOME OFFICE DOCUMENT UPDATES
- Transparency data Migrants detected crossing the English Channel in small boats has been updated on 8thFebruary 2023. To access the information, click here
- Afghanistan evacuees: immigration information has been updated on 7th February 2023. To access the information, click here
- National statistics announcement Immigration System Statistics, year ending December 2022 has been updated on 7th February 2023. To access the information, click here
- Guidance Female genital mutilation: resource pack has been updated on 6th February 2023. To access the Guidance, click here
- Guidance Voluntary Returns Service (VRS) stories of return. To access the Guidance, click here
- Guidance on examining identity documents has been updated on 6th February 2023. To access the Guidance, click here
- Guidance Electronic monitoring devices: installation and removal has been updated on 6th February 2023. To access the Guidance, click here
- Guidance Handling complaints in immigration removal centres has been updated on 3rd February 2023. To access the Guidance, click here
