Migration news roundup 17 March 2025

This Migration News Roundup presents a selection of news, policy, research and statistics from the previous week on migration-related topics. The contents of each story do not necessarily reflect the views of Migration Yorkshire.

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

International news

The European Commission has confirmed it will take legal action against Poland if it fails to comply with the Migration Pact, which mandates collective management of people seeking asylum across the EU. Poland has opposed the pact, citing security concerns and migratory pressure from Belarus and Ukraine. (Source: Euro News)

Donald Trump is reportedly considering fast-tracking the deportation of 240,000 Ukrainian refugees, revoking their temporary legal status granted by Joe Biden. There is concern that due to the swift nature of recent deportations it would be difficult for courts to intervene effectively. (Source: The i Paper)

UK borders and migration policy

The UK and France have signed a ‘roadmap’, agreeing to strengthen measures to tackle people smuggling gangs. Meanwhile this article describes the National Crime Agency’s efforts, which include working with social media companies to remove posts by smugglers, and disrupting the supply of boating equipment. (Sources: Home Office, BBC)

Home Affairs Committee chair Karen Bradley MP has written to Seema Malhotra, the Minister for Migration and Citizenship, questioning the change to the good character requirement guidance, precluding people arriving via an irregular route from ever becoming a British citizen. SNP MP Pete Wishart has also introduced an amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (p.8 of the document) which would reverse this change. (Source: UK Parliament)

The latest changes to the immigration rules have been announced, including:

• travellers from Trinidad and Tobago must now apply for a visitor visa to come to the UK due to an increase in asylum claims
• employers of care workers will have to try to fill vacancies from among those whose sponsorship arrangements have failed, before recruiting directly from overseas
• the expected exemption of BN(O) passport holder from having to apply for ETA

This article provides a full analysis of the immigration rule changes (Sources: UK Parliament, FreeMovement)

Specific migrant groups

On small boats, Gzim, an Albanian who made the crossing looking for a better life, has shared his experiences of coming to the UK and spoken out to warn others of the potential hardships. Meanwhile, the number of Albanian nationals crossing the channel in small boats has fallen by over 95% since 2022 following a cooperation agreement between the UK and Albania, which included social media adverts highlighting the risks of exploitation. (Source: BBC)

A couple have been fined £1,500 by the Home Office after discovering and reporting a young person hid in their camper van when returning from a holiday in France. Their local MP said the punishment would deter others from reporting similar incidents. (Source the Guardian)

The Royal College of Nursing has urged the government to bring forward its planned investigation into care workers exploitation, expressing concern about issues such as employers demanding large repayment fees if staff decide to leave. (Source: Royal College of Nursing)

On international students, reflecting on the contribution international students make to local economies and society in general, Professor Jennifer Watling from Manchester Metropolitan University is urging the government to change its policy preventing some international students from bringing their families to the UK. (Source: BBC)

On children and families, a report from Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) finds that 46% of children in the UK with at least one parent born outside the country are living in poverty. The report also highlights that families with ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) have restricted access to free childcare, preventing some parents from working. (Sources: electronic immigration network, the Guardian)

On EU nationals, this article explains how continuous residency is approached under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). (Source: Free Movement)

Cohesion and integration

Six months after the Hull riots this article states that people seeking asylum and refugees are still coming to terms with what happened. However, interviewees believe the city remains a welcoming place for those seeking sanctuary. (Source BBC)

The MP for Rother Valley, Jake Richards, is among Labour MPs encouraging the government to take a tough stance on immigration and other issues, to tackle support for Reform UK. He compares current UK political developments with Germany, where the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) performed well.  Meanwhile, a research report on the nation under the new government, ‘Change Still Pending’ includes analysis of the threat of Reform UK and public trust on key issues, including immigration (Sources: the Guardian; UCL/More in Common)

A digital toolkit has been launched, ‘The Power of Sport’, to foster a sense of belonging, bring communities together and build bridges through sport. (Source: Belong)

Read about three refugee women entrepreneurs in the south of England, who have set up their own businesses and created jobs in their local areas, including a driving school, a cleaning business and a social enterprise selling Palestinian handicrafts. Meanwhile, the Scottish Refugee Council has updated its ‘Online guide for new refugees’, including education and employment resources. (Sources: BBC South East; Scottish Refugee Council)

Stories that inspired us this week

Goodwill Caravan, a UK-based humanitarian charity, has raised £55,000 during a Ramadan Iftar event in London. The fund will support refugees from Palestine and Sudan who receive emergency treatment in Cairo. (Source: ArabNews)

In celebration of International Women’s Day last week, IRC highlights 12 women activists and leaders from across the globe, mostly from refugee backgrounds themselves, who are championing the rights of women and girls. (Source: International Rescue Committee)

The second season of the refugee Football league, a football competition for refugees, organised by Changing Lives Community Foundation is starting this month at Colchester Sports Park. (Source: Gazette News)