Migration news roundup 31 July 2023

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View of Houses of Parliament from bridge over river Thames

Stories that inspired us this week

People seeking asylum and temporarily placed in hotels are sharing the impact of a sewing project in Bristol. (Source: BBC)

Two artists share their stories here: a comic artist who came to the UK from Somalia who sees comics as a way to share his refugee experience, and a photographer who migrated from Hong Kong uses art to remember his homeland. (Sources: Metro, the Guardian)

International news

Listen to what happens to migrants when they reach reception centres in southern Italy. In Greece, the Aegean Boat Report group records an increase in arrivals to Greek Islands and decrease in pushbacks over the same period. (Sources: BBC – listen from 00:30, 16:10, 27:00 and 44:30, InfoMigrants)

Beyond Europe, in Hong Kong there are reports of family members of prominent pro-democracy activists being taken for questioning by police, while in the USA changes to the asylum process disproportionally affect indigenous South American groups. (Sources: the Guardian, Al Jazeera)

UK borders and migration policy

Following last week’s changes to the Immigration Rules:

Since the passing of the Illegal Migration Act:

Costs of housing asylum seekers in hotels is resulting in millions of pounds of the UK’s foreign aid budget being spent on tax payments that return to the Treasury. Further, since the Illegal Migration Act no longer allows many people who arrive through irregular routes to claim asylum the rules governing international aid spending on refugees could end the government using this budget to support them. (Sources: the Guardian, Devex)

The Solicitor’s Regulation Authority is to investigate claims that some solicitors were found to be assisting clients to make false asylum claims to regularise their stay in the UK. (Source: BBC)

Specific migrant groups

Asylum support rates have increased from £45 to £47.39 per week. The High Court found the Home Secretary unlawfully withheld financial support for families with young children and pregnant women. (Sources: gov.uk, the Guardian)

New guidance has been published for local authorities on pre-matching Afghan refugees for settled accommodation. (Source: Home Office)

On children and young people:

On modern slavery, the Home Office has been ordered by the High Court to change the policy on trafficking which disqualifies people with criminal convictions from accessing support and protection. Meanwhile, an increase in cases of modern slavery in the care industry has been reported. (Sources: the Guardian, BBC)

Some UK universities have introduced flexible payment deadlines to support Nigerian students due to the sudden devaluation of their currency. (Source: The Pie News)

Here’s a useful reminder on how absences from the UK impacts on applications to the EU Settlement Scheme. (Source: Free Movement)

Cohesion and integration

In Llanelli, Wales, a solidarity picnic in support of asylum seekers who may soon be housed in hotels nearby was held. Relatedly, this piece talks about ‘performative hostility’ and how housing asylum seekers in inhospitable and unwelcoming sites can be seen as part of a strategy to take away agency and a sense of belonging. (Sources: Hope not Hate, the Conversation)

The former goalkeeper and captain of the Afghan women’s national football team describes adapting to a new culture, and the role of football in healing. (Source: UNHCR)

Last updated:

31st July 2023

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