Migration news roundup week commencing 15 September 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

Newly appointed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that some countries that don't sign migrant returns agreements with the UK could face visa suspensions. (Source: BBC)

Sadly, three more people lost their lives trying to cross the Channel in small boats. Meanwhile the French government is allowing the Home Office to run a publicity campaign involving posters and leaflets near beaches in northern France, in an effort to deter those attempting the journey. (Sources: Sky, the Guardian)

This article reports on a recent parliamentary debate following an e-petition against the proposed doubling of the indefinite leave to remain route for skilled workers from five to ten years, and another e-petition calling for Hongkongers to be exempt. Sheffield MP Olivia Blake and Leeds MPs Alex Sobel and Mark Sewards made contributions to the debate. (Sources: the Guardian, UK Parliament)

Almost 2,000 skilled worker sponsor licences were revoked from employers between July 2024 and June 2025, more than twice than the previous year. Reasons included not providing promised work, underpaying staff, and using work visas to enable people to get around immigration rules. (Source: Home Office)

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill continues to progress through the House of Lords and is expected to reach report stage by mid-October. This briefing details government amendments to the bill. (Source: Free Movement)

This article considers the factors behind recent increases in migration to the UK, while another takes a closer look at legal routes to the UK, and considers how overseas workers have bolstered certain sectors as well as universities’ reliance on international fees. (Source: Sky)

Specific migrant groups

The defence secretary confirmed that government is considering alternative asylum accommodation options, including military sites while communities are still objecting to local asylum accommodation arrangements, with homes of multiple occupancy coming under scrutiny as well as hotels. In this article, people who host asylum seekers in their homes share their experiences and voice concerns about anti-immigration discourse. (Sources: BFBS Forces News, BBC, the Guardian)

Scottish councils and homeless charities are preparing for a potential increase in refugees arriving who had been in England, following the reduction of the move on period from asylum accommodation for many people to 28 days. Single men could receive more support under Scottish homelessness laws, which differ from English legislation. (Source: Daily Record)

Following the suspension of the refugee family reunion route, this piece answers common questions about the route, reasons for suspension, the potential impact, and comparison with European counterparts. (Source: Migration Observatory)

Ukranians living in the UK will now be able to apply for a further two year extension to their visa. A parliamentary briefing on the three visa schemes has also been published. Ukrainians still face barriers to settling in the UK, with one guest facing eviction from her host’s home due to local authority planning rules. (Sources: electronic immigration network, House of Commons Library, the Guardian)

Following changes to EU nationals’ eligibility for settled status and new absence rules announced this summer, new Home Office guidance confirms those who had pre-settled status but then switched to another immigration route may be able to switch back to the EU Settlement Scheme. (Source: UK Visas and Immigration)

The Windrush commissioner has been told by survivors that they felt the Home Office was 'waiting for us to die off’. He asks for urgent reforms and proposes partial payments to be made to those awaiting review. (Source: the Guardian)

In case you missed it, this report highlights the contribution of international students to the economic growth of some major cities in the UK, raising concerns over the potential impact of more restrictive policies. (Source: Centre for Cities)

Cohesion and integration

A journalist returns to his home town of Luton, the birthplace of Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate, to challenge narratives of ‘no-go areas’ and show how local communities have come together in the face of destitution and upheaval. (Source: the Guardian, 13 minute video)

A new report reviewed the language used by media outlets around the European Convention of Human Rights and other aspects of immigration law, finding the spread of inaccurate and misleading information to undermine public confidence in the rule of law. (Source: The Bonavero Institute)

This article highlights the long-term impacts of homelessness and the No Recourse to Public Funds status, particularly on migrant mothers and their children. (Source: The Conversation)

International news

Ghana has agreed to accept West African nationals deported from the US under a new bilateral arrangement. (Source: BBC)

Hundreds of newly granted Eritrean refugees in Luxembourg call for government action after being forced out of state-run shelters and into precarious living conditions. (Source: RTL Today)

Stories that inspired us this week

The Vanner Gallery in Salisbury will showcase artworks created by residents of the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, who use paintings to convey their experiences and stories. (Source: BBC)

Here’s the story of Elaha Safdari, who recently signed for Rotherham United Women Football Club. Despite the obstacles she faced coming to the UK as a refugee, Safdari is determined to chase her dream of playing football as a way to let the world know that Afghan women and children are ‘capable of doing amazing things’. (Source: the Guardian)