Migration news roundup 2 April 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

This short film about Huddersfield Town Football Club ‘Terriers Together’ looks at how local pride in a football club can help support a sense of inclusivity and build shared place-based identities. (Sources: X)

Read about ‘Refugees Rock’, a free climbing club specifically designed for refugees and people seeking asylum.  It started in Liverpool three years ago, and now runs at 14 centres across the UK. (Source: Positive News)

International news

Germany has agreed to accept nearly 150 people from war-torn Gaza, most of who are employees of German institutions. (Source: InfoMigrants)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has revealed that more than 63,000 people have died or disappeared on migration routes around the world over the last ten years, with nearly two thirds of deaths caused by drowning. (Source: Reuters)

A new law in Texas that would allow police to arrest migrants suspected of entering illegally has been put on hold for a second time by the United States Federal Appeal’s Court latest ruling whilst it considers whether this would be legal. (Source: AP News)

Human trafficking in Southeast Asia is on the rise, with Interpol warning that Southeast Asian gangs are developing global networks. (Source: Reuters)

UK borders and migration policy

Two more highly critical inspection reports of Home Office operations were published; one on the health and social care visa route; one on Border Force operations at London City Airport. Of note, it reveals that 275 sponsorships were fraudulently obtained by a care home. The Home Office have published responses to both reports - denying the accuracy of fake sponsorship claims, and refusing to accept there is a risk to security at London City Airport. (Sources: Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, Home Office)

More on the Health and Social Care visa route, with this new briefing explaining changes for employers coming into force in April.  (Source: Free Movement)

Latest figures reveal that the first quarter of 2024 has seen the highest number of arrivals via small boats recorded. This news broke the same week the Home Office launched its social media campaign intended to deter Vietnamese migrants from attempting the crossing. Meanwhile, leaked footage has led to accusations that UK-funded French forces could be putting migrants' lives at risk through aggressive ‘pullbacks’ of small boats attempting to cross the Channel. (Sources: Sky News, BBC, the Guardian)

Despite the Rwanda Bill still ping-ponging in Parliament, the Prime Minister says the government is ready to commence removals should the Bill pass. (Source: Evening Standard)

Specific migrant groups

In this article, Jason Thomas-Fournillier from Doncaster tells his story of being granted asylum by the immigration and asylum tribunal. (Source: Prospect Magazine)

On young people: 

• In Leeds, concerns have been raised regarding a number of referrals made to children’s services for children being accommodated in adult asylum accommodation. (Source: Leeds Live)
• The High Court has heard evidence from Kent County Council that due to arrival numbers on small boats and delays in moving children through the National Transfer Scheme, capacity for UASC placements within Kent may run out before the end of March. (Source: the Guardian). 
• The Children’s Commissioner has raised concerns that ‘insufficient long-term solutions’ have been identified to house and support unaccompanied minors on arrival in the UK. (Source: Children’s Commissioner)

On International Students:

• A report from the Northern Consortium (NCUK), Nous Group, and IC Global Partnership highlights the benefits of Pathway programmes for international students. It suggests that the programme supports the students to thrive while also benefiting universities. (Source: The Pie News)
• 57% of the fees income for Russell Group Universities in the UK now comes from international students, with 24% of all students in the UK being international. (Source: Daily Mail)

Cohesion and integration

The British Politics and Policy Centre have published an article on how Local Councils can help with asylum policy, particularly in regard to integration and follow-on support. (Source: London School of Economics)

A paper has been published on identifying policies that help refugees and host communities thrive across the world. The paper looks at policies, institutions and support systems that promote socio-economic integration in a variety of different settings and encourages broader conversations about effective policies for integration. (Source: Centre for Global Development)

Watch this Panorama documentary about immigration in the UK – looking at the political choices behind the headlines, and hearing from those running businesses who say they rely on migrants, and those who say current numbers cannot be sustained. (Source: BBC)