Migration news roundup 26 September 2022

• 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

Chile’s representative at the Queen’s funeral, Antonia Urrejola, spent her childhood in Hull after her family fled the Pinochet regime. (Source: Hull Daily Mail)

In Leeds, young authors from Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Chad have created the recipe book ‘Cooked with Love’ to share their favourite meals with the world. (Source: the Guardian)

The City of Sanctuary national conference was held in Bradford - catch highlights on this twitter thread. The theme was how the migration sector can build resilience. With talks, theatre, music and incredible singing from a local primary school choir, it was a reminder of the positivity and hope in the sector. (Source: City of Sanctuary)

At the Yorkshire Integration Festival people from across Yorkshire and Humber celebrated our region’s rich diversity with music, film, dance, drumming, crafts, food, coffee, a marketplace and more. Check out #YIF2022 for snippets from the day. (Source: Migration Yorkshire)

International news

Following President Putin’s announcement that 300,000 reservists would be mobilised in the Ukrainian war, many Russians are attempting to flee. At present, Russians seeking asylum in Estonia and Latvia are being turned back whilst Finland has already allowed 4,800 Russians to cross the border. (Source: EU Observer)

Other countries continue to hinder border crossings in the Mediterranean:

• Morocco has prevented over 40,000 attempts by migrants to enter Europe without permission this year, as part of Morocco’s commitment to ‘migration management’ in cooperation with the EU. (Source: Morocco World News)
• The Turkish leader accused Greece of ‘illegal and reckless pushbacks’ that claimed the lives of two child refugees after the Greek coastguard allegedly sank their boats. (Source: Info Migrants)

In Germany, the government intends to better protect LGBTQ+ asylum seekers by making decisions with the assumption that claimants would be open about their sexuality and/or gender identity in their country of origin, rather than suggesting people who are returned could be ‘discreet’. This comes as reception centres in Germany are at risk of reaching capacity. (Source: Info Migrants)

50 Venezuelan migrants are suing Florida governor Ron DeSantis for flying them to Massachusetts under false pretences. Republican governors have been sending migrants to Democrat-run areas in recent weeks. (Source: the Guardian)

UK borders and migration policy

The new Prime Minister and Home Secretary seem to be at odds over migration strategy: Liz Truss wants increased immigration in some sectors to boost the economy, whilst Suella Braverman has warned of undermining manifesto pledges. (Source: the Telegraph)

Over 30,000 people have arrived on small boats in 2022, already higher than the 2021 total. There’s a reminder of the dangers of this route with reports of a person needing resuscitation after a dinghy broke in two. (Sources: BBC, Daily Express)

Government announced two recruitment agencies that will supply up to 2,000 workers under the seasonal visa scheme for the poultry sector. (Source: Farming UK)

Home Office guidance has been updated in relation to good character in naturalisation applications; those holding indefinite leave to remain are understood to meet lawful residence requirements. (Source: Free Movement)

Detention and deportation officers are taking Home Office contractor Mitie to an employment tribunal over issues including unfair dismissal and race discrimination. (Source: the Guardian)

Specific migrant groups

On asylum:

• Fact checkers have produced a briefing on asylum support payments following erroneous claims on social media about this issue. (Source: Full Fact)
• As part of a series on the cost of living crisis, an expectant father in the north of England who is seeking asylum describes the challenges he and his wife face while they are unable to work due to awaiting a decision on their asylum cases. (Source: the Guardian)

As the academic year begins, EU students are reminded their rights are protected as long as they have a Certificate of Application confirming the submission of their EU settlement scheme application. (Source: Independent Monitoring Authority)

On Windrush, the Home Office Community Engagement Fund 2022 to 2023 is open for applications with a deadline of 21 October. The fund aims to encourage people from the Windrush generation to apply for documentation and compensation. (Source: Home Office)

Cohesion and integration

A young Ukrainian told his mum he feels ‘at home’ in Alnwick, north-east England. (Source: BBC)

New research on what ‘culture war’ means and how it reflects the ‘Brexit divide’ suggests public opinion has become more liberal and inclusive. For example 17% of those polled think that to be ‘truly British’ you need to be born in the UK, down from 48% in 1995. Similarly, in 2000 25% thought that people identifying as Black or Asian have not had equal opportunities in this country; this has risen to 45%. The research points to a strong connection between views on Brexit and attitudes to identity, migration and equal opportunities. (Source: NatCen).

Is the migration brain drain an outdated concept? This article asserts that it doesn’t reflect the complexity of migration of skilled labour from low income countries to richer ones and should be replaced by a term that also represents the gains. (Source: Deutsche Welle)