Migration news roundup week commencing 3 November 2025

This Migration News Roundup presents a selection of news, policy, research and statistics from the previous week on migration-related topics. The contents of each story do not necessarily reflect the views of Migration Yorkshire.

• UK borders and migration policy
• Specific migrant groups
• Cohesion and integration
• International news
• Stories that inspired us this week

UK borders and migration policy

A report by Home Affairs Committee looks at how the Home Office responded operationally to an increasing demand in asylum accommodation over the past six years, and how accommodation provision could be reformed. The report noted that ‘the Home Office risks boxing itself in by making undeliverable promises to appeal to popular sentiment’. (Sources: House of Commons, the Guardian) 

Meanwhile, the government has announced two military sites in Inverness and East Sussex will be used for asylum accommodation for approximately 900 men. Commentators have noted the government previously stated it would end the use of large-scale military accommodation. (Sources: BBC, HuffPost) 

The Independent Chief Inspector of Border and Immigration has reported that aside from small boats crossing the channel there are also incidents of ‘clandestine entry’ via yachts and fishing vessels at other ports around the UK. Relatedly, an immigration operation at Holyhead port in Wales has led to 51 arrests of people attempting to enter the country via the Common Travel Area between Ireland and Britain. (Source: BBC) 

The UK and Vietnam have agreed a new returns deal according to which Vietnamese arriving via irregular routes, who made up 20% of small boat arrivals in 2024, will now be fast tracked for deportation. Home Office data also shows 599 Vietnamese nationals were referred as potential victims of modern slavery in the period April to June 2025 – the second highest nationality. (Source: the Guardian)  

The government’s decision to revert to a 28 day move-on period from asylum accommodation has been overruled by a high court judge, following an emergency challenge to prevent the eviction of a refugee from Eritrea. The Home Office was ordered to extend the eviction period to 56 days for the individual. (Source: the Guardian) 

At least three immigration lawyers are facing disciplinary action over their alleged misuse of AI. (Source: Free Movement) 

After admitting a breach of Home Office’s trafficking policy, Migrant Help staff will be receiving awareness-training on the recovery needs assessment policy, which enables survivors of modern slavery to extend their support past 45 days. (Source: Free Movement) 

Specific migrant groups

On asylum, after months of protests and demonstrations outside asylum hotel accommodation, people seeking asylum in Manchester have come together to issue a heart-felt statement calling for greater understanding of their circumstances. (Source: Greater Manchester Immigration Unit) 

After a week of official errors the convicted sex offender at the centre of the Epping hotel protests has been deported to Ethiopia. (Source the Guardian) 

Enver Soloman, the CEO of The Refugee Council, has announced he will be stepping down in early 2026. (Source: Refugee Council) 

On migrant workers, as a result of 63% increase in arrests for undocumented working the government has launched a consultation with employers on extending ‘right to work’ checks to migrants who are not classed as employees, such as agency workers and contractors. The consultation closes on 10th December. (Sources: Home Office, Immigration Enforcement) 

After changes to the skilled worker visa route in July an updated guide to supplementary employment advises on points to consider before taking on an additional job. (Source: Free Movement) 

The Windrush Commissioner, Rev Clive Foster, said that ‘Commonwealth Britons’ are worried that ‘history is repeating itself’. The Commissioner has criticised language used to target ‘legal migrants’ and called for more empathy and compassion from the Home Office. On a more positive note, The Home Office said that to improve the Windrush scheme claimants will get as much as 75% of the compensation upfront and will be compensated for lost contributions to work or personal pensions. (Source: The Guardian) 

Cohesion and integration

Organisations in Scotland have expressed concern for community cohesion following the government’s announcement to use a military barracks in Inverness for asylum accommodation.  The Scottish government and three members of the Highland Council have expressed their frustration at the lack of consultation. Refugee Council Scotland has released a statement saying housing people that seek asylum in remote settings without meaningful engagement with local communities risks fostering division and misunderstanding. (Sources: BBC, Scottish Refugee Council) 

International news

The Australian Human Rights Commission has voiced concern over the lack of transparency surrounding Australia's first deportation of a ‘non-citizen’ under a new 2.5 Australian dollar billion deal with the Pacific Island nation, Nauru. The deal concerns ‘resettling’ several hundred ‘non-citizens’ with criminal records over the next 3 decades. (Source: Reuters) 

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program remains suspended with no refugees resettled to the US in the past month and funding and resettlement operations severely curtailed, leaving families in uncertainty and resettlement agencies struggling. (Source: CWS) 

An urgent call for action has been issued by international agencies in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan. (Source: unicef) 

Stories that inspired us this week

An exhibition ‘Of Earth and Memory’ will be launching at St. Augustine’s Centre in Halifax on 5th November, featuring clay models, sketches, writing and photography created by the centre’s members who have sought sanctuary in the UK. (Source: St. Augustine’s Centre) 

Antonio Gagliardi Lugo, an oral surgeon from Southampton, recently spent time at a large refugee camp in Bangladesh where he taught dentistry and treated patients on behalf of the Refugee Crisis Foundation. (Source: BBC)