Displaying items by tag: Immigration

The new Labour government plans to reopen two immigration detention centres, Campsfield House and Haslar, aiming to achieve the highest rate of removals of those without the right to remain in the UK since 2018. The reopened facilities will initially provide 290 beds, with the long-term goal of expanding to a thousand. This decision has attracted strong local opposition, particularly at Campsfield House, which previously faced issues like hunger strikes, self-harm, and suicides before its closure in 2019. The Home Office has emphasised that the welfare and safety of detainees are taken seriously, promising to carry out removals with dignity and respect. Additionally, Labour is increasing efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and human trafficking by establishing a new Border Security Command and deploying more intelligence officers to the National Crime Agency. These measures are part of a broader strategy to address rising immigration concerns, particularly as the number of small boat crossings continues to increase.

Recent riots across the UK, sparked by a tragic stabbing incident, have highlighted deep-seated tensions within British communities. The violence, exacerbated by false information on social media, led to anti-Muslim protests and widespread unrest in over twenty locations. Many of the rioters were linked to far-right groups, leading to vandalism and looting, particularly targeting Asian-owned businesses. This unrest has served as a wake-up call, revealing that underlying issues of hostility towards immigration, particularly against Muslims, persist in the UK. Danny Webster, EAUK’s director of advocacy emphasised the importance of the Church in rebuilding fractured communities. He noted that while it is crucial to listen to people’s grievances, it is equally important to challenge misinformation and harmful rhetoric. McDonald, head of Theos, urged Christians to share positive stories of immigrants contributing to society, to counteract the negative stereotypes that fuel such hostility. The Church’s role in promoting peace and understanding is vital in these turbulent times, as it seeks to heal divisions and restore harmony in the nation.

Labour has admitted that Britain is facing a small-boat crisis in the Channel, just days after scrapping the Tories' Rwanda deportation scheme. 427 people made the crossing on Monday, bringing the total since Labour took power to 1,185. Home secretary Yvette Cooper noted that small-boat crossings were at a record high and indicated a challenging summer ahead. The Conservatives argue that Labour's approach relies too heavily on European cooperation and lacks effective deterrents. Instead, Starmer plans to establish a 1,000-strong immigration task force as part of a new Border Security Command, to address people-smuggling. Migration will be a key topic at the upcoming European Political Community summit, where Starmer aims to build support for his new strategy. Critics warn that Labour's policies could lead to increased illegal arrivals and costs for taxpayers.

When Luca was born in Perth two years ago, his parents were devastated by his diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Australia's strict immigration policies then compounded their distress by denying their permanent residency, deeming Luca a potential financial burden due to his medical condition. Australia, which prides itself as a ‘migration nation’, routinely rejects visas if medical costs exceed A$86,000 (£45,000) over ten years. Despite having lived in Australia for eight years and filling crucial job roles, Luca’s parents face the possibility of deportation – an example of the policy’s harshness. The government has defended the law, but it is surprising that its own immigration act is treated as exempt from its disability discrimination act. The immigration minister has mentioned the possibility of ministerial intervention for affected children, yet the process is often gruelling. Campaigners argue this policy is discriminatory and outdated, and are pushing for reform.

Ahead of the EU and UK elections, false claims about immigration are spreading, particularly on social media. One Facebook post says that nearly 97% of Spain’s minimum basic income recipients are immigrants. In reality, official data show that 82.4% are Spanish nationals and only 17.6% foreigners. Elsewhere, Dutch far-right activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek has said that most residents of Amsterdam, Brussels, and London are immigrants, whereas official statistics contradict this. Immigration remains a significant issue in Europe, influencing voter sentiment and political strategies. A recent poll reveals that half of Europeans disapprove of the EU’s migration policies, wanting stricter border controls. Some national governments have adjusted their immigration policies in response.

The graduate visa route, which allows overseas students to stay in the UK for up to three years post-graduation, should remain, according to a Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report. This follows concerns from Home Secretary James Cleverly about potential abuse for immigration purposes. Despite calls from former immigration minister Robert Jenrick to abolish the visa, the report found no evidence of widespread abuse and highlighted its importance for funding British universities and supporting the government's international educational strategy. It emphasised the visa's role in helping universities expand course offerings and cover financial losses from domestic students and research. In 2023, 114,000 graduate route visas were granted, primarily to students from India, Nigeria, China, and Pakistan. The MAC recommended maintaining the route and implementing a mandatory registration system for international recruitment agents to prevent exploitation. The British Chambers of Commerce supported the findings, citing the need for skilled workers. Despite some initial low-wage employment, many graduate visa holders transition to skilled roles, enhancing their job prospects and wages over time.

The Government's Rwanda bill faced fresh setbacks in the House of Lords, with Labour-backed amendments passing despite previous reversals in the Commons. These amendments include exceptions for children and adherence to international law. Rishi Sunak has faced ongoing resistance since the proposal was announced in April 2022. While the government's majority suggests amendments may be overturned, the margin of defeat narrowed as additional peers were enlisted. The bill must reconcile differences between the Commons and Lords before becoming law, a process known as parliamentary ping-pong. Some peers emphasised the importance of international and domestic laws, including human rights and modern slavery legislation, in their amendments. They also supported measures requiring independent verification of Rwanda's safety and exemptions for individuals who had assisted the UK military or government abroad. Sunak has vowed to curb illegal immigration, emphasising the bill's role in this effort.

Victims and campaigners are calling for faster and increased payouts from the Windrush compensation scheme, established five years ago by the Home Office. This was set up in response to the scandal where thousands of British residents were mistakenly identified as illegal immigrants, leading to wrongful deportations and denials of basic rights. As of January, over £80 million has been distributed across 2,233 claims, but delays raise concerns, particularly for the elderly. Jacqueline McKenzie, working with over 400 victims, has said the Home Office needs to expedite decisions, citing re-traumatisation among the victims, many of whom have already died. Anjali, whose late father Singh was a victim, received his compensation posthumously, a year after his death. Singh faced homelessness and deportation threats due to his unverified UK status. The Home Office says that the scheme will remain open indefinitely; over 82% of claims have been concluded, with ongoing efforts to maximise and expedite awards.

Abdul Ezedi, the Clapham chemical attacker, received a Muslim funeral and burial in London, despite previously claiming to have converted to Christianity. Ezedi, who was granted asylum in the UK based on his supposed Christian faith, was found dead in the Thames following the attack on his ex-girlfriend and her children. He had been a controversial figure, with doubts cast over his religious conversion. Court documents revealed he failed to correctly answer Home Office queries about his faith. However, an immigration judge granted him asylum, influenced by testimony from Rev Roy Merrin, who believed in his genuine conversion. Ezedi, who had a criminal history including sexual assault, had been placed on the sex offender register and needed to be escorted during church services. His case has stirred debate on the process of deciding asylum claims, with concerns raised about potential exploitation of religious conversion. Justin Welby recently addressed these concerns, stating there was no evidence of the Church of England facilitating fraudulent conversions.

A Texas immigration law, one of the nation's toughest ever, has been temporarily frozen by an appeals court. The law would empower officials to detain and prosecute individuals they suspect of entering the country illegally, overriding federal authority. Although the law briefly took effect during legal manoeuvres, a three-judge panel heard arguments on its constitutionality without issuing an immediate ruling. The Justice Department requested a delayed effective date if the law were to be upheld, intending to seek emergency action from the Supreme Court. Joe Biden's administration opposed the law, on the grounds that immigrant detention should remain in its hands. Mexico denounced the law as anti-immigrant, pledging not to accept individuals deported by Texas. The law’s potential reinstatement could signify a significant departure in immigration enforcement, challenging the traditional federal authority. Crossing the US border illegally is already a federal crime, but violations are usually handled as civil cases by the immigration courts.