Migration news roundup 20 June 2022

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

Stories that inspired us this week

For Refugee Week this week there are many events planned across the Yorkshire and Humber region - you find details about these on the Migration Yorkshire Twitter page too. For example, Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary have released their full programme of events. (Sources: Refugee Week, Migration Yorkshire on twitter, Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary)

Abdulghani is one of the Refugee Week Ambassadors and is from Huddersfield. He’s a business owner and tutor who supports vulnerable people in the area. (Source: Refugee Week)

UK borders and migration policy

The government’s first attempt to relocate some asylum seekers to Rwanda failed after the flight was suspended following the European Court of Human Right's pausing removal directions for those remaining on the flight. This came after legal challenges in the UK courts were unsuccessful. The European Court said that the flights should be paused until the outcome of a case scheduled next month that will consider whether the policy is unlawful. The government intends to continue with its plans to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda and has since threatened to leave the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). Below are some notable news items related to the Rwanda policy and the ECHR’s intervention:

• There was criticism of the government’s Rwanda policy from some of the UK ‘establishment’ with the Church of England and Prince Charles speaking against it.
• Activists staged protests across the country including a human roadblock outside Colnbrook detention centre.
• The unsuccessful flight was estimated to have cost about £500,000.
• Asylum seekers recall their accounts of being placed on the Rwanda flight, highlighting the traumatic nature of forced removal.
• Should the UK decide to leave the ECHR, it would breach the Good Friday Agreement and would cause uncertainty over the future of Northern Ireland.
• The long term future of the Rwanda partnership could be in doubt with an increasing threat of conflict between Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

(Sources: Guardian, Free Movement, Home Office, Huffington Post, inews, Independent, Politics Home, Politico)

There continue to be daily reports of people crossing the Channel in small boats. Meanwhile, there is a call for evidence regarding an inspection into Border Force activities at Humber ports. (Sources: BBC, Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration)

The Home Office updated its guidance on visa processing waiting times. Waiting times have been extended for some visas, believed by some to be a result of prioritising Ukraine Scheme applications. (Sources: UK Visas and Immigration, Morgan Lewis)

This article gives some insight into the push and pull factors behind the rising number of skilled Nigerians migrating to the UK, revealing cultural compatibility and quicker visa processing times as key reasons for choosing the UK as a destination. (Source: The Times)

Here are a few items for longer reading and listening:

• This piece introduces a new book called Political Racism which analyses the role of immigration politics in the EU referendum.
• Free Movement’s latest podcast gives an overview of the latest changes to the immigration rules and the UK Borders Act.
• Dreaming of a better world? Here’s an immigration advisory of fictional dystopias you’d never want to move to. (Sources: UK&EU, Free Movement, Gizmodo)

Specific migrant groups

Plans to open the new refugee reception centre in Linton-on-Ouse are on hold while work is underway to ensure the site meets the relevant safety requirements. (Source: York Press)

A parliamentary debate on the Ukraine Scheme and child refugees is scheduled for Wednesday 22 June. Also related to the Ukraine Scheme, new data from a voluntary survey of local authorities gives details of support given to Ukrainians experiencing or at risk of homelessness. In England, 660 Ukrainians were owed a prevention or relief duty, with 30 individuals from seven councils in our region. (Sources: UK Parliament, Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities)

The UK is said to be one of the top destinations for prominent film makers leaving Hong Kong. (Source: Variety)

On EU nationals, the Independent Monitoring Authority published its first annual report highlighting issues and concerns related to the rights of EU nationals and their families. New guidance for Zambrano primary carers explaining eligibility under the EU Settlement Scheme has been added following a recent court judgement. (Sources: IMA, Home Office)

Cohesion and integration

The CEO of Refugee Action connects Grenfell and Rwanda, linking both to colonialism and systemic racism. (Source: Independent)

Simba Mujakachi, a Zimbabwean refugee living in Sheffield, speaks of the devastating impact the hostile environment on his life and the associated barriers to NHS care whilst in the asylum system. (Source: the Guardian)

International news

This data highlights dangers faced by migrants fleeing conflict and insecurity along the North Africa - Mediterranean route. It reveals that around 25,000 people have lost their lives or gone missing trying to cross the Mediterranean. (Source: UNHCR)

More than 100 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, climate change and persecution, according to this year’s Global Trends report by UNHCR. This means one in every 78 people on Earth has been forced to flee their home. Most refugees are hosted in low and middle-income countries within close proximity from where they have fled. Turkey has the highest number of refugees (3.8 million) followed by Colombia (1.8 million). (Sources: EU observer, UNHCR, New Statesman)

This article highlights migration forecasts for high net worth individuals in 2022, with large outflows from Russia, India and China and large inflows to the UAE, Australia, Singapore, Israel and Switzerland. (Source: the Guardian)