Migration news roundup week commencing 13 April 2026

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.

Content warning: This week's news roundup contains brief references to themes around suicide and death that readers may find distressing. 

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

Specific migrant groups

News about children and young people includes:  

• A report from a community-led charity highlights the tragic issue of deaths of unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people whilst in the care of, or supported by, local authorities. Data shows that over a ten year period between 2015 and 2024 at least 54 unaccompanied young people died, over half of whom died by suicide. (Source: Daaro Youth Project) 
• Charities and lawyers are calling for action as the government has detained 76 age disputed young people as part of the ‘one in one out’ scheme with France. Over a third were later taken into the care of local authorities. (Source: the Guardian) 

An inspection of the Home Office's engagement with councils in relation to asylum accommodation planning has begun, and is expected to conclude in August. (Source: ICIBI)

Since the Home Office introduced a process to automatically convert the status of some EU nationals from pre-settled to settled, there've been 87,000 automated grants of EU settled status up to the end of 2025, with improvements being made to the system from April 2026 based on tax and benefit records. (Source: Home Office)  

International Roma Day was on 8 April; you can find out more about historical persecution of Roma communities in these resources, as well as other materials celebrating Romani culture and even learn some phrases in Romani dialects. (Sources: Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Show Racism The Red Card) 

Changes to the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme came into force on 8 April allowing those eligible to continue their stay in the UK through a further 24-month grant of permission and applying up to 90 days before their current permission expires. (Source: Home Office) 

Other changes in effect from 8 April relate to the expansion of the BN(O) visa scheme allowing adult children of BN(O) status holders, who were children at the time of the 1997 handover, to apply for the visa independently. (Source: Hong Kong Watch)  

On international students: 

• A higher education conference panel warned the sector is losing trust with international graduates, highlighting that very few use university careers services, calling for data on employment outcomes for international graduates, and pressing to improve university relationships with smaller employers. (Source: The Pie News) 

• An in depth article offers an insight into how international students find places at UK universities through recruitment agents paid by higher education institutions. International students from an ordinary, aspiring background describe the precarious reality of coming to the UK to study. (Source: the Guardian) 

On modern slavery: 

• Latest official data shows progress on reducing the backlog of modern slavery cases waiting for a conclusive grounds decision linked to the government commitment to clear this backlog by the end of 2026. (Source: Home Office) 

• This short article outlines changes in employment law introduced in April, including the creation of the Fair Work Agency to oversee minimum wage law, standards for employment agencies, and labour exploitation. (Source: Unseen) 

UK borders and migration policy

While the tabloids complain that French police aren't intervening to deter people beginning a Channel journey, a further four people died as they tried to board a small boat in France while the boat in question still crossed the Channel. (Sources: Daily Mail, Al Jazeera) 

Experts claim that while applying new earned settlement rules retrospectively is unfair, prospective changes will also cause long term damage to the UK. The changes are likely to be implemented in the autumn. (Sources: Free Movement, JCWI) 

Cohesion and integration

The Charity Commission has found that City of Sanctuary was the victim of a misinformation campaign and has been cleared of any inappropriate activity, following misleading claims about their Valentine’s Day craft activity. (Source: BBC) 

The Anglican Alliance has released a new resource pack to help churches support refugees, migrants and displaced people bringing together practical guidance on issues including mental health, legal considerations, advocacy and the theology of migration. (Source: The Church Times) 

International news

The crisis in the Middle East continues to affect migrants in a multitude of ways: 

• Rising food and gas prices are making daily life unaffordable for internal migrant workers in Delhi, forcing many to abandon the city and return to their home villages. (Source: the Guardian) 

• Job prospects have been shattered for Asian migrant workers in the Gulf states leaving many unemployed, stranded and facing worsening economic insecurity. (Source: BBC) 

• More than a million displaced Lebanese families have fled south Lebanon and are sheltering in makeshift refuges. (Source: Al Jazeera) 

Nearly 1,000 people have died in the Mediterranean in 2026, one of the deadliest starts to the year in over a decade. (Source: International Organization for Migration) 

Stories that inspired us this week

In Northern Ireland the first ‘Sanctuary Runners’ group has been launched in Dungannon bringing longterm residents, refugees and migrants together through regular community runs and walks, as part of the Unity in Diversity project. (Source: The Impartial Reporter)  

Born in Somalia during the civil war, Elias fled persecution and sought asylum in the UK, where volunteering and education helped him rebuild his life and find a sense of belonging. Now a British citizen, he runs two companies creating pathways to employment, integration and inclusion for refugees and asylum seekers. (Source: UNHCR)