Mary-Ann Stephenson defends convention as ‘really important’ and warns against demonisation of migrants Taking the UK out of a European human rights treaty to quell rightwing anger over immigration would be a mistake, the new chair of Britain’s equalities watchdog has said, as she warned against the demonisation of people who migrate to the UK. … Read more
Government has vowed to end use of asylum hotels and plans to send first men to Crowborough site within weeks The Home Office plans to send the first group of asylum seekers to a military site in East Sussex in the new year, the Guardian understands. Discussions in Whitehall are under way to use Crowborough … Read more
Saturday’s arrivals were the most on a single day in December and take the annual total to 41,455 More than 800 people crossed the Channel in small boats on Saturday, a record for a day in December, according to the Home Office. December is traditionally one of the quietest months for Channel crossings, as a … Read more
Exclusive: Thinktank’s findings undermine successive home secretaries’ statements about misuse of system in England and Wales Asylum seekers are not abusing the modern slavery system in a widespread manner, according to a report from a centre-right thinktank that undermines statements from successive home secretaries. The report from Bright Blue finds limited evidence that asylum seekers … Read more
Napier barracks in Folkestone faced multiple problems, from far-right protests to damning ruling over safeguarding issues The UK’s first and most longstanding military barracks used to accommodate asylum seekers is closing its doors on Thursday after almost six years. The closure of the controversial Napier barracks in Folkestone comes at a time when the government … Read more
Judgment finds systems designed to protect against inhuman and degrading treatment ‘unlawfully’ failing for years The Home Office has failed to protect vulnerable migrants it locks up in detention centres, a high court judge has ruled. Mrs Justice Jefford found an unlawful failure of the “systems” designed to protect immigration detainees from inhuman and degrading … Read more
Home Office drive to stop small boats crossing Channel is handing more power to people smugglers, report finds The UK’s policy to stop asylum seekers from crossing the Channel in small boats has led to an increase in violence, deaths and smuggler control, but has not deterred arrivals, according to a report by human rights … Read more
Official data cannot show what impact ECHR has on asylum cases, says leading thinktank Migration Observatory Gaps in official migration statistics are hampering public debate and policy decisions including on cases relating to human rights laws, according to a leading thinktank. The University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory has identified 10 areas where information is lacking, … Read more
Obtaining an eVisa to prove their status or right to legally reside in Britain is causing migrants high levels of stress The UK’s new digital-only immigration system is creating stress, fear and exclusion for immigrants who rely on their status, a new report has found. The digitalisation of immigration status began in 2018 and in … Read more
Home Office accused of putting criminality before dignity with rule seeking intelligence on people-smugglers Children who arrive in the UK on small boats could be searched to check if they are concealing phone sim cards in their mouths under new Home Office rules. New measures will allow immigration enforcement officials to seize phones at the … Read more