Free Movement Weekly Immigration Newsletter #61

Welcome to the weekly Free Movement newsletter!

On Tuesday last week the Home Affairs Select Committee heard oral evidence for their inquiry into asylum accommodation from witnesses including David Bolt, the interim Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (for a little while longer at least). The written evidence submitted to the inquiry has also been published and it was certainly interesting to see this comment on the lack of support to help people integrate into the UK, from those famously woke social justice warriors Serco (h/t CJ).

The Home Office’s indefinite pause on processing Syrian claims is looking increasingly unsustainable, in particular for the settlement applications given the different considerations that apply there. UNHCR has reported on the difficulties faced by those who have been internally relocated, there have been reports of hundreds of people killed by landmines and also by militant groups. 

Earlier this month over a thousand people were killed in fighting between security forces and those loyal to Assad. There is also the threat of ISIS. It is simply unrealistic for the Home Office and government to act as though it will be possible to safely return anyone there in the near future and these applications cannot be ignored forever. ECRE has published a policy note on the position in Europe which is useful reading on pauses, cessation and returns.

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill has completed committee stage. Next will be report stage. In the meantime, the Joint Committee on Human Rights has launched a call for evidence for its legislative scrutiny of the Bill. The deadline is 11 April 2025. There is still nothing in the Bill that is likely to prevent people crossing the Channel, and another two people died last week.

On Free Movement, I read all one hundred and thirty six pages of the Wethersfield decision, so that you don’t have to. Another long read was the ICIBI report on fee waivers which is out, I want to say “finally out” because it feels as though I have been waiting for it for ages, but it was published only very slightly over eight weeks since first sent to the Home Secretary, which is good to see. 

Jack Freeland has written up the Court of Appeal’s decision in Prestwick Care & Others which resolves two conflicting High Court decisions on revocation of a sponsor licence. There were also a couple of other case write ups, on the Court of Appeal partially upholding a Medical Justice win, and the latest (and possibly last?) in a complex series of litigation surrounding the historic position for survivors of trafficking who have made an asylum claim, and in this case who also have had a deportation order made against them. 

For everything else on Free Movement and elsewhere, read on.

Cheers, Sonia

What we’re reading

Denying refugees British citizenship is a shameful step backwards – The BMJ, 21 March

Mass asylum seeker accommodation at Napier barracks to close – The Guardian, 19 March

‘It’s helping me build my future’: empowering migrant and refugee families in a London borough of sanctuary – The Guardian, 18 March

A day in the life of an asylum hotel: inside the UK’s most controversial accommodation – The Guardian, 18 March

A Decade of Harm: Survivors of gender-based violence locked up in immigration detention – Women for Refugee Women, 18 March

Women seeking asylum in UK allege sexual abuse in mixed-sex hotels – The Guardian, 23 March

Many victims of Channel dinghy tragedy could have been saved, inquiry lawyers say – The Guardian, 17 March

Government faces High Court Challenge Over Brook House Inquiry Response – Duncan Lewis, 18 March 2025

A day in the life of an asylum and immigration solicitor – LawQWE, March

Garden Court Chambers’ response to ‘Civil legal aid: Towards a sustainable future’ consultation – Garden Court Chambers, 20 March

7 arrested for facilitating migrant smuggling across the English Channel – Europol, 20 March