Migration news roundup 14 August 2023

Image
View of Houses of Parliament from bridge over river Thames

Stories that inspired us this week

Mandinari Citizens in the UK (MCUK), a Wakefield-based network of Gambian-born UK residents, celebrated its 20th anniversary. (Source: Yahoo News)

Known for his work on Coronation Street and the Fast and Furious film series, a Knaresborough cinematographer has produced Homebuoy, a short film raising awareness of the challenges that many refugees face. (Source: Harrogate Advertiser)

International news

Following incidents of public Quran burnings in Sweden, some of the Muslim community have been attempting to change the narrative by engaging in friendly dialogue with onlookers. (Source: Al Jazeera)

Tensions are growing at the Polish–Belarusian border as Poland accused Belarus of aiding illegal crossings, with added concerns due to the presence of soldiers from Russia's Wagner mercenary group. (Source: InfoMigrants)

A new study shows that search and rescues in the central Mediterranean are not a ‘pull factor’ in the choice to migrate via that route.  (Source: InfoMigrants)

UK borders and migration policy

From 2024, fines for employers or landlords will at least triple for employing or renting property to people without the necessary migration status. Here is some analysis of the context and possible implications. (Sources: Home Office, Free Movement)

The Home Office published updated statistics ‘relating to the Illegal Migration Act’ on small boat arrivals, asylum applications and support, enforcement and decision makers, covering data to July 2023. In a week unofficially known as ‘small boats week’, where government wanted to proactively discuss the topic, media reports of Ascension Island being a potential site for deporting people seeking asylum gained coverage. Then tragedy struck with news of six people who died trying to cross the Channel. Over 50 were rescued after their boat capsized but some people remain unaccounted for. (Sources: Home Office, Huffington Post, Al Jazeera)

This article fact-checks claims about the asylum system by the Immigration Minister and Shadow Home Secretary. Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister, also appeared to be reconsidering leaving the European Convention on Human Rights to remove blocks to the Rwanda plan. (Sources: BBC, the Guardian)

Government clashed with immigration lawyers over various issues:

Migration to the UK in recent decades has been at a similar level to other high-income countries, according to this briefing on net migration. (Source: Migration Observatory)

Specific migrant groups

On asylum processes:

On asylum accommodation and support:

A statistical briefing on migration to the UK from Ukraine shows an average 266 arrivals under the Homes for Ukraine scheme per council area. (Source: Migration Observatory)

Concerns about cheating in online English tests could have cost hundreds of international students their academic year after a testing organisation cancelled some exam results that students need to qualify for university entry. (Source: The Pie News)

The 51st Manchester Caribbean Carnival celebrated the 75th Windrush anniversary. (Source: Manchester Evening News)

A tightened approach to late applications under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) came into force and the EUSS caseworker guidance has been updated. Late applicants must now prove reasonable grounds for delayed applications. (Source: Home Office)

Cohesion and integration

Applications are open for grants to run events encouraging local communities to come together. The project between Migration Yorkshire and the Jo Cox Foundation is encouraging applications from Hongkongers and other migrant groups. (Source: Jo Cox Foundation)

In a short video  Kotob Daoud shares his story of resettlement from Syria to Somerset and the journey he’s been on through art and music. (Source: Somerset Council)

Hull City Council announced it will resettle and support 50 refugees in the coming year, as part of its role as a City of Sanctuary, while Cambridgeshire libraries received a Sanctuary Award. (Sources: Hull Daily Mail, BBC)

Last updated:

14th August 2023

Contact us about research

If you have any questions about our research, contact us:
research@migrationyorkshire.org.uk