Migration news roundup week commencing 15 December 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

Implications of the government statement on ‘earned’ settlement policy for different migrant groups are considered in a briefing that acknowledges there’s still some uncertainty. Meanwhile, 'Time For Change' is a campaign report that proposes alternatives to current migration policies (including a not-for-profit asylum accommodation system); it’s endorsed by a York MP who advocates for giving asylum seekers permission to work. (Sources: Free Movement, Another Europe is Possible) 

This research report examines the impact of eVisas and other aspects of the digitalisation of migration status, highlighting practical issues and the stress caused to individuals, and making practical recommendations to address the challenges identified. (Source: Open Rights Group)  

New research has found that people of colour are at much greater risk of having their British citizenship revoked than white people. (Source: Runnymede Trust) 

Data gaps and issues with data quality are highlighted in this briefing about the migration evidence base, highlighting a need to understand how people progress through immigration and other systems, and at the local level. Meanwhile, a new poll indicates 57% of people in the UK know the meaning of ‘net migration’. (Sources: Migration Observatory, YouGov)  

This report documents ‘state violence’ experienced by people attempting to cross from France to the UK, arguing that border measures have increased danger and reliance on smugglers, whilst not reducing numbers. While another report takes an in-depth look at the smuggling trade worldwide, it also suggests that both a lack of safe routes and increased enforcement contribute to the demand for people smuggling. (Sources: Humans for Rights Network, Mixed Migration Centre)  

Government shared details of recent enforcement activity to target illegal working, with 171 delivery riders arrested last month of which 60 face removal from the UK. (Source: Home Office)  

Specific migrant groups

On asylum:   

• The spending watchdog has created a detailed systems map of the asylum system from start to conclusion. The report  identifies  what's  needed to ensure value for money in the system. (Source: National Audit Office) 

• As a way of clearing the asylum backlog, the Home Office is reportedly making some asylum decisions based on questionnaires only rather than interviews, if they have sufficient information and applicants are from countries where grant rates are high. (Source: Telegraph)  

• A number of media outlets are reporting on the sentencing of two young men from Afghanistan convicted of the rape of a girl in the Midlands. (Source: Info Migrants)  

• There’ve been protests at both ends of the country, in East Sussex and Inverness, against plans to house people seeking asylum at local military sites, as well as a counter-protest. A legal challenge in East Sussex cites a lack of community involvement in decision-making, while Scotland's First Minister described other Scottish protests against hotels as 'appalling' and said Scotland needs migration. Meanwhile, a Southampton group who have been protesting for months outside a hotel announced a 'Christmas break'. (Sources: More Radio, Inverness Courier, the Guardian, Daily Record, Southern Daily Echo)   

This article describes ‘winter's refugee homelessness crisis’, featuring interviews with frontline workers and people with refugee status currently experiencing homelessness. It’s set in the context of the pilot that had doubled the move-on period after receiving refugee status, now ended. (Source: Independent) 

This powerful short animation by United Impact, a solidarity action group of migrants, highlights the harm caused by the No Recourse to Public Funds immigration condition on children and families in the UK. (Source: Project 17, four minutes)  

Cohesion and integration

The Head of the Charity Commission has warned charity workers are facing an increasing ‘culture of fear’, with growing hostility and threats of violence towards volunteers and beneficiaries becoming normalised, such as those supporting refugees and women and at places of worship. (Source: the Guardian)  

Led by the Diocese of Leeds, some churches have launched a new pro-migrant publicity campaign to counter the right’s growing use of Christian nationalism and Christian symbols. (Source: MSN)  

The ‘Together Alliance’ was launched in the UK, bringing together over 50 organisations, civil society groups and many famous faces to reject division and racism and instead bring a message of hope. (Source: Stand up to Racism) 

A documentary about a local community coming together to resist an immigration raid in Glasgow in 2021, will be screened at the Sundance Film Festival. The producer described it as, ‘a hopeful film that celebrates the power of community’. (Source: STV news)  

International news

Home to one of Africa’s largest refugee populations, Uganda will no longer grant refugee status to arrivals from Eritrea, Somalia, or Ethiopia due to severe funding shortfalls. Also in Africa, an investigative report has revealed Egypt has increased illegal deportations of Sudanese refugees, with seemingly little challenge from UNHCR. (Sources: the Guardian, The New Humanitarian)  

In Europe, among various measures under its Pact on Asylum and Migration, the EU has approved the use of ‘return hubs’, signalling consensus on stronger enforcement measures. Meanwhile, a group of Council of Europe member states made proposals to weaken long-standing migrant protections under the European Convention on Human Rights dating back to World War Two. (Sources: Info Migrants, AP News)   

Stories that inspired us this week

Based here in South Yorkshire, ‘Who is Your Neighbour?’ is one of five appeal partners for the Guardian’s Christmas Appeal 2025 which is focussing on hope in communities, supporting grassroots charities working to bring positive change as an antidote to polarisation and division. (Source: the Guardian) 

'Welcome Changes Everything' is a 90 second film by City of Sanctuary UK which describes some key moments in the everyday lives of people coming to the UK, and how they found welcome and belonging, despite the challenges. It’s one of hundreds of short films up for a film award. (Source: Smiley Charity Film Awards)