Migration news roundup 3 October 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

Rwandan-Scottish BAFTA-winning actor Ncuti Gatwa is soon to be the new Doctor Who (the first black Doctor Who). He was featured in our Migration Yorkshire portraits of refugees displayed recently at the Yorkshire Integration Festival. (Source: Time)

Find out more about Fridtjof Nansen – a Norwegian humanitarian, explorer, diplomat and scientist, after whom the UNHCR set up Nansen Refugee Award to recognise exceptional dedication to supporting refugees, internally displaced and stateless people. (Source: UNHCR)

International news

Russian nationals fearful of being called up to fight in Ukraine continue to flee to neighbouring countries to avoid conscription. (Source: Washington Post)

With the election victory of the Brothers of Italy party, Malta is concerned that the incoming Prime Minister could change Italy’s migration policy, increasing asylum arrivals in Malta. (Source: Times of Malta)

UK borders and migration policy

On small boat Channel crossings:

• The government has accepted that the recently agreed deal with Albania to expedite returns of people arriving illegally will not apply to people seeking asylum. (Source: the Guardian)
• There is speculation that Liz Truss’ ‘friend or foe’ comments about France during the Conservative leadership battle damaged chances of an agreement on tackling this issue. (Source: Independent)
• However, recent talks with France led by Home Secretary Suella Braverman have reportedly been ‘positive’. (Source: Telegraph)
• The government’s £90,000 social media campaign (which doesn’t explicitly mention the Rwanda scheme) seems to have failed to deter people from taking the dangerous journey. (Source: Independent)

A House of Commons briefing concludes it is not yet possible to ascertain the impact of the points-based immigration system implemented in January 2021. At the Labour party conference, leader Keir Starmer indicated he would keep the system. Meanwhile Conservative debates continue about using migration to boost productivity. (Sources: House of Commons Library, Mirror, Free Movement)

A report from a voluntary and community sector charity claims that people with ‘3C leave’, a temporary leave granted while someone awaits or appeals a decision on their application to renew their existing leave, are experiencing issues similar to those affected by the Windrush scandal, such as benefits suspension and wrongful dismissal from work. (Source: RAMFEL)

This briefing considers the government’s strategy to end rough sleeping, concluding that it fails to fully address the causes of homelessness among migrants. (Source: NACCOM)

Following the announcement earlier this year that former detention centre Campsfield House in Oxfordshire would reopen, a closed Immigration Removal Centre in Hampshire could also now be brought back into use. The total capacity of the sites would be for 1,000 people. (Source: BBC)

Specific migrant groups

The Home Office has extended its contract with a Rotherham hotel used to house asylum seekers for another year, despite a local MP saying the site is unsuitable. [Source: Yorkshire Examiner]

On children and young people, many organisations across the children’s sector have expressed concerns about the proposed Bill of Rights and the implications for children and are asking politicians to vote against the second reading when it gets to parliament. Elsewhere, Arab media have criticised European migration policies and border controls for continuing to place refugee children in dangerous situations and called out for safe and legal passage available for Ukrainians, to be opened to all. (Sources: Children’s Rights Alliance for England, Al Jazeera)

On EU nationals, guidance on proving residency evidence in EU Settled Status applications has been updated to clarify evidence which covers a longer period of time, while waiting times for administrative reviews have been extended to 12 months due to increased demand. (Source: Home Office)

On modern slavery:

• There are warnings that lifting the cap on the seasonal worker scheme could increase the risk of modern slavery. (Source: the Guardian)
• The Council of Europe is urging Ireland to do more to tackle human trafficking, amid concerns over conviction numbers and victim identification. (Source: the Guardian)

This article outlines ways by which UK universities could continue to appeal to international students, remain competitive and sustain growth. (Source: University Business)

Cohesion and integration

This evaluation report of an East Midlands project highlights the importance of language, employment and well-being support for refugee integration. (Source: The Bell Foundation)

This half-hour episode of the podcast ‘I Am Not Your Refugee’ looks at migration and the media and features Osama Gaweesh from the UK based Refugee Journalism Project. The episode addresses access to the journalism sector for those from a refugee background. (Source: Open Democracy)

The Commission on the Integration of Refugees has had its first meeting. The independent commission, funded by a research centre on interfaith relations, brings together a wide range of voices including refugees, academics, politicians and faith leaders, to share experiences and gather evidence on how to improve the UK asylum system and make all feel welcome. (Source: The Woolf Institute)