Following reports that asylum decisions were being undermined by unsustainable work pressures, we are now learning that immigration enforcement is driven by a culture of informal competition over arrest numbers. According to The Guardian, “immigration officers are being encouraged to compete to arrest the highest number of suspected illegal migrants and can be rewarded with […]
By Jilna Shah Bank account checks — part of the Home Office’s hostile environment strategy to identify irregular migrants — were suspended last month, as part of a series of government U-turns following the Windrush scandal. MRN welcomed the suspension of banking checks, but recognise that this remains a temporary measure to the government’s overall
Following a pretty shocking story late last year about MPs reporting constituents to immigration enforcement officers, Global Justice Now and Migrants Organise are launching a new campaign to end this unacceptable practice. In a democratic society, everyone should have the right to safely meet their member of parliament and expect representation without fear of being
Last month we launched our London Survey, a consultation designed to help MRN draw together our plans and help shape future collaborations and strategies for our work in the capital. Huge thanks to the organisations who took time to participate in our survey. Here are some preliminary results to 3 of the key questions: What
In a press release last week, the European Commission proposed a threefold increase in spending on migration and border control in their 2021-2027 budget. Fortifying the Fortress? A key takeaway form this announcement is a new separate fund for integrated border management, and the further strengthening of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency with a
The Court of Appeal maintained that the Home Office had misused asylum seekers’ private data by publishing a spreadsheet containing private and confidential information for over 1,500 asylum applicants. The court, as Bindmans reports, had “no hesitation” in concluding that the Home Office’s practice was a breach of data protection rules, entitling individuals affected by
The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders is asking for input on the rationale and authority for the Home Office’s service charges on asylum, immigration, nationality and customs functions. The Chief Inspector is calling for stakeholders’ evidence on these services, especially those with first-hand knowledge or experience on Home Office charging for services. The inspection will look
By Jilna Last week, MRN facilitated a workshop for members of the Nigerian Schools Foundation on the Know Your Rights guide. We hope to do more workshops like this one, set up to promote a wider community-level understanding of the hostile environment and to link migrant issues with racism, LGBTQ+ rights and other intersectional issues.
In a ruling last week, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that all member states must recognise same-sex spouses’ residency rights under EU law. The ruling concludes a six-year battle by Adrian Coman, from Romania, and his American husband, Claibourn Robert Hamilton, to get their marriage legally recognised in Romania. As
The Centre for London published a new paper titled London Identities, which explores how understandings of identity and belonging shapes the capital. Researchers Nicolas Bosetti and Tom Colthorpe use an introduction and three chapters to examine the “London identity”, amidst a diversifying population and deepening inequality. The report maintained that “London identities remain strong” –
