Migration news roundup 27 March 2023

• Stories that inspired us this week
• International news
• UK borders and migration policy
• Specific migrant groups
• Cohesion and integration

Stories that inspired us this week

The next edition of the UK’s first literary magazine of Sanctuary is open for submissions until the end of May, and welcomes contributions of poetry, writing and artwork by refugees and migrants, or contributions on the theme of migration by anyone. (Source: the other side of hope)

An Oxfordshire bus driver has helped reunite an 8 year old Ukrainian refugee with her toy gnome, the only toy she brought with her when she fled to the UK with her mother. (Source (Oxford Mail)

International news

The European Union has raised concerns over Tunisia’s political, economic, and social unrest as they fear this could instigate a new migration flow towards Europe. In Greece, refugees, people seeking asylum and other migrants took to the streets in Athens in protest against migrant pushbacks. (Sources: InfoMigrant)

UK borders and migration policy

The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) has published his latest annual report. (Source: ICIBI)

On the Illegal Migration Bill:

• The UNHCR has published a new paper analysing the legal context surrounding the Bill.
• A new report estimates that more than 190,000 people could be detained or become destitute if the bill is passed.
• This article explores the possible implications for the smuggling trade.

(Sources: UNHCR, Refugee Council, The Conversation)

Following the announcement that government will increase its funding to France to tackle irregular migration, this briefing provides an overview of previous and planned spending. (Source: UK Parliament)

On the Rwanda scheme:

• Home Secretary Suella Braverman visited Rwanda last week, viewing prospective accommodation for UK asylum seekers. The government is reportedly planning for flights to begin before the summer.
• The US has criticised Rwanda’s human rights record.
• The government’s suggestion of possible reforms to European Court of Human Rights procedures, to stop the use of injunctions to prevent removals, has been disputed by legal experts. Meanwhile this article considers the implications should the UK withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.

(Sources: Sky News, Independent, the Guardian, Chatham House)

The addition of several construction jobs to the Shortage Occupation List could have limited impact due to high visa fees and the English language requirement, according to this article. (Source: Construction News)

Specific migrant groups

A group of international students who had their visas revoked over the English test scandal are calling on Rishi Sunak to help them clear their names and presented a petition at Downing Street. (Sources: the Guardian, National Herald)

The Home Office is not making its usual £150,000 annual award from the Windrush community engagement fund this year, reportedly due to internal disagreement about whether funds should be given to groups that have expressed criticism of the government on social media. (Source: the Guardian)

On asylum:

• There is a new parliamentary briefing on the decision-making backlog.

• This report recommends that the government implements an integrated housing approach with NGOs and local authorities which includes access to support.
• An RAF site in Lincolnshire could be used to accommodate up to 1,500 people seeking asylum.

(Sources: House of Commons, Refugee Action, BBC)

‘My dream was to give her the best future, but in exchange I sacrificed my motherhood and her childhood’ – read Jenny’s story and those of other migrant domestic workers. (Source: IMIX)

There is new guidance to help local authorities assess adults with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), as well as some information on setting subsistence rates. (Sources: NRPF Network)

Cohesion and integration

Racial disparity in maternity care in the UK was the focus of a Black Maternal Health conference, highlighting that black women are four times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than white women. (Source: the Guardian)

What’s in a name? Following St Patrick’s Day on 17 March, Irish stereotypes are being challenged through a photography exhibition featuring a wide range of people all with the name ‘Paddy’. (Source: the Guardian)