Migration news roundup 7 May 2024

• 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

Razan Alsous and Raghid Sandouk, a couple from Syria who moved to live in West Yorkshire a decade ago, were selected by Aldi to supply their cheese rolls in more than 1,000 of their stores. (Source: The National News)

My Soul Gallery, an exhibition in Epsom, showcasing artwork made by adults and children from ‘a refugee community’ is launched by Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, from 1 to 31 May 2024. The aim was to help the participants to express their emotions through arts. More locally, Mohammad Barrangi, an Iranian artist who came to the UK as a refugee in 2017, opens a show in Leeds that explores the theme of migration and disabilities. (Sources: BBC, the Guardian)

International news

The European Union pledged €1 billion in financial aid to Lebanon in a bid to stop further movement of Syrian refugees residing there.  Agadez in Northern Niger is once again serving as a transportation hub for migration to Europe, after Niger’s military junta rescinded a ban on the transportation of prospective migrants. Meanwhile, Canada introduced a cap of 24 hours per week for international students working off campus, aimed at deterring applicants whose primary intent is to work and not study. (Sources: InfoMigrants, Africanews, CBC News)

UK borders and migration policy

The government published its treaty agreement with Rwanda and an equality impact assessment of the scheme as it is proceeding with plans to remove people seeking asylum. The Home Office confirmed that the first detentions of people seeking asylum facing removal to Rwanda have taken place and that these will increase in the coming period, with the aim to complete first removals within 9-11 weeks. A union representing civil servants has issued legal proceedings against the government on the grounds that it would be a breach of the civil service code for civil servants to ignore international law obligations and implement actions to remove people to Rwanda. There’s also a new parliamentary briefing on the Rwanda scheme. (Sources: Gov.uk, BBC, The Independent, House of Commons Library)

Despite the Rwanda Act passing, small boat arrivals continue to rise. Accordingly, in this article exploring deterrent policies as means of stopping migration, it is suggested that the Act is unlikely to achieve its aims. Meanwhile, Ireland aims to introduce new legislation deeming the UK as safe country after an increase in people seeking asylum crossing its border with the UK to avoid being sent to Rwanda. The Prime Minister responded saying the UK would not accept returns from Ireland. Meanwhile, police in Dublin dismantled a city centre encampment of some 200 tents sheltering refugees and people seeking asylum. (Sources: BBC, The Conversation, the Guardian)

In other news, a press statement from the Home Office says that new measures to reduce net migration are having an impact, with figures showing an 80% decrease in student dependants arriving in the first quarter of 2024, although for others this raises concern that the UK may be losing its reputation as the preferred study destination for international students. Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick is calling for even tighter measures, demanding a cap on legal migration. (Sources: Home Office, The Pie News, The Independent) 

Meanwhile, the APPG on Migration and APPG on Poverty published its report on the Effects of UK Immigration, Asylum and Refugee Policy on Poverty. Recommendations include decreasing the length of time it takes to obtain settlement, reducing the number of years someone can have the no recourse to public funds condition and increasing the move on period to 56 days. Migration Yorkshire made submissions to the inquiry last year. (Sources: APPG on Migration, Migration Yorkshire)

Finally, following the UK government’s decision to enable Chagossians to acquire British Citizenship, some British Chagossians have reported that their identity has been altered by Mauritian officials when renewing passports. (Source: the Guardian)

Specific migrant groups

Protestors in London attempted to block the Home Office from taking people seeking asylum to the Bibby Stockholm. (Source: the Guardian)

Refugee Council reported that unaccompanied children that seek asylum have been wrongly issued notices of intent for Rwanda. Meanwhile, the HM chief inspector of prisons reports that several UK airports are struggling to cope with immigration demands. Between June and November 2023, 149 unaccompanied children were held for an average of 6.5 hours at Luton airport, with 20 being held for up to 12 hours. (Sources: the Guardian, The Independent)

The latest data on Windrush compensation shows that by the end of March 2024, over £85 million had been paid out to individuals through the scheme, and over 86% of claims have had a final decision. (Source: Home Office)

This publication highlights difficulties with finding affordable childcare experienced by Hongkongers on a BN(O) visa which excludes them from accessing free childcare programmes. Elsewhere, a founder of Hongkongers in Leeds group says most Hongkongers feel that community in Leeds is ‘really inclusive and really welcoming’. (Sources: The Hong Konger, BBC)

The Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA) tasked with monitoring the rights of EU nationals post-Brexit calls for a review of the government’s implementation of the judgement related to pre-settled status. (Source: IMA)

This article focuses on risks of exploitation for people arriving on the health and social care visa. Relatedly, here is a summary of an event which considered the risk of exploitation and a guide for local authorities on international recruitment to adult social care. (Sources: The Conversation, Stronger Together, LGA)

The body that monitors countries’ implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings has published its latest report, highlighting a number of issues including difficulties accessing legal assistance, and the labour market. (Source: Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings - GRETA)

Cohesion and integration

Lilian Barr originally came to Derry as a refugee and has just become Northern Ireland’s first Black Mayor. Meanwhile, Femi Amin, who came to the UK aged 15 as a refugee stood as a candidate in the London mayoral elections. (Sources: Belfast Telegraph, The Independent)

The ‘State of Hate 2024’ annual report has been published, analysing the rise of the radical right in the UK, including strongly anti-immigration rhetoric. Another report, looking specifically at hate crime directed at East and South Asian (ESEA) communities in the UK, found that 45% of community members experienced a hate crime in the past 12 months. (Sources: Hope not Hate, Protection Approaches)