Our monthly summary of migration justice news
Local/Community Updates
RETAS Leeds hosted a sold out comedy fundraiser at 92 Degrees in a beautiful display of community coming together in support of integration and development of vulnerable migrants. Check out their instagram @retas.leeds for future events!
University of Leeds and University of Reading have published research making policy recommendations for the challenges faced by transnational families which impacts the care they provide for family members, for example long-term investment in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and improved access to family reunion visas.
Support independent refugee artists when Christmas Shopping this year by visiting the Leeds Refugee Forum Well-being stall at Leeds Market! The first market was 14-15th November and was a beautiful event; you can catch them at the next one on the 12&13th December! Follow @leedsrefugeeforum to stay updated
Migrant Action Updates
Migrant Action has launched a Community Healing Justice Project in partnership with Launchpad Collective aiming to cultivate kindness, love, compassion and celebrate diversity, creativity and passion in our local communities. This project is based off of the Welcome Mat initiative which utilised community artwork and compassion to provide healing, resilience and a sense of belonging and welcome within local communities. The Welcome Mat has been visiting areas most affected by xenophobic violence this year and working with the local community to co-create safe spaces for inter-cultural listening, learning, strategy-building, and healing utilising creativity and art.
The Welcome Mat has so far visited Doncaster and co-created a beautiful space for healing. One attendee gave feedback on the workshop stating ‘We are all humans, who need kindness and support from time to time. Thank you for making this meeting possible’ (pictures from session)
Migrant Action has been continuing to provide support to the local community as the move to E-Visas arrives, including 1-1 support and drop-in sessions, but also facilitating community campaigning in response to issues around obtaining visas being experienced across the country
General/National Updates
The Home Office has admitted that many people who have the right to live and work in the UK cannot access their E-Visas and provide proof that they are allowed to be in the country. These individuals are typically individuals who are on 3C leave whilst they wait for their visa renewals (due to year-long delays). Whilst the Home Office claims there are alternative ways to provide proof, individuals who have spoken to the Guardian shared that some employers and estate agents were unwilling to accept any other evidence. Migrants’ rights campaigners have argued that the problems with e-visas could lead to a Windrush-style scandal.
The Bibby Stockholm barge will officially close in January 2025, with all individuals having now been relocated off of the barge. Whilst this is a small step in providing dignified and secure accommodation to asylum seekers and refugees, this marks an end to a devastating chapter.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has reopened the Home Office Windrush unit and announced better support for people to claim compensation through a £1.5million fund, including appointing a new Windrush Commissioner, and aiming to work closer with the individuals affected first hand, promising a ‘fundamental reset’ in the government’s response to the Windrush Scandal.
The Home Office NRPF (No Recourse to Public Funds) Policy has been ruled unlawful by the High Court on November 21. This is because delays in deciding change of conditions applications (which allows destitute migrants to access public funds) had breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) due to its failure to reduce the risk of inhuman and degrading treatment to a reasonable minimum. Linked to this, a new report has identified a link between NRPF Policy and poverty for migrants in the UK.
A new report has been published examining issues for Hong Kongers trying to access employment which they are qualified and experienced for in the UK, and makes recommendations to government, businesses and other organisations on how to support individuals in finding suitable work amongst rising living costs
A Bill proposed by Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Hamwee aims to enable unaccompanied child refugees to sponsor parents and siblings for the purpose of family reunion. The Refugees (Family Reunion) Bill reaches committee stage in the House of Lords on 5th November.
Funding for the new Border Security Command is to be doubled to £150 million over two years. Starmer suggested the employment of counter-terrorism techniques in order to ‘tackle people smugglers’ and suggested the UK should take a leadership role in responding to gangs responsible for Channel crossings. There is still no safe route or asylum visa established.
Free movement released guides on skilled worker visas and right to work checks which can be found on their website (or linked in the final slide of this post)
A Jordanian-Canadian-Palestinian citizen won a human rights appeal against the UK Home Office, after her student visa was revoked following statements she made at a university demonstration. The court found Home Office actions to be ‘disproportionate interference with her protected right to free speech’
The Home Office launched the EUSS web-chat using a digital assistant, as a way of asking questions about the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), particularly out of hours, whilst another family is at risk of being deported while awaiting the outcome of their EUSS application.
The Home Office has introduced new measures to increase the proof-of-funds requirements for students applying for a study visa. This aims to reflect inflation and the high cost of living.
Migrants rights campaigners have warned against the use of AI in the immigration enforcement and decision making, saying it could ‘encode injustice’
Sources/Further Resources
Local community updates:
@retas.leeds on Instagram
@leedsrefugeeforum on Instagram
General/National updates:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-launches-new-support-for-windrush-victims
https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/call-widen-family-reunion-rights-refugees
https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3747
https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/euss
