Migration news roundup week commencing 17 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

The government has announced plans to emulate aspects of the Danish immigration system, which awards only temporary residence permits to refugees and has a restrictive approach to family reunion. This briefing provides an overview of Danish asylum policy. (Sources: BBC, UK Parliament)  

In case you missed it, this recent report is based on interviews with 12 people removed to France under the ‘one in, one out’ scheme. It paints a picture of a group of people confused about their current situation and immediate future, who had been unable to properly access legal advice in the UK, and whose experiences include trafficking, torture and mental health issues. Meanwhile, another individual removed to France through the scheme has managed to return to the UK and has subsequently been detained. (Sources: Humans for Rights Network, BBC)  

Hundreds of thousands of eVisa holders could be adversely affected by errors and system issues, according to a new report which attempts to estimate the scale of the problem. The authors compare the situation to the Windrush scandal which left individuals unable to prove their rights. (Source: the3million)  

Specific migrant groups

On Asylum accommodation:  

• Private contractors face more criticism in a new report which describes the reality of hotel accommodation for people seeking asylum. The report includes stories of overcrowding, malnutrition and neglect. (Source: RAMFEL)  

• In Coventry Serco received a £10,000 fine for ‘serious breaches’ of housing regulations. (Source: BBC)  

• A high court judge has ruled that the Bell hotel in Epping can continue to house people seeking asylum, citing the home secretary’s statutory responsibilities as a significant factor. (Source: the Guardian)  

On modern slavery:  

• The latest Home Office modern slavery statistics have been published showing that a record number of 6,414 people were referred as potential modern slavery victims between July and September this year. There were 9,107 cases awaiting a conclusive grounds decision at the end of September, representing a fall of 69% from the end of 2022 when the number had reached a high of 29,275. (Source: Home Office)    

• New briefing has explored the reasons for negative modern slavery decisions and the factors associated with these. (Source: Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre)    

• This article examines perpetrators’ use of AI technology to identify, recruit, control and exploit victims. (Source: Journal of Human Trafficking)    

• If you’re a social science, humanities or law graduate under the age of 40 consider submitting a 3,000-5,000 word academic essay about the abolition of modern slavery or protection of human dignity for the Subedi Essay Prize at the Wilberforce Institute. The deadline is 31 December and it’s open to all nationalities. (Source: University of Hull)  

A new briefing considers how the Seasonal Worker Scheme could be made safer and fairer, including looking at some alternative models. (Source: FLEX)  

Despite facing threats from his community, a Kurdish refugee explains why he went undercover to expose a crime network facilitating illegal work for people seeking asylum and undocumented migrants in mini-marts, barber shops and car washes. (Source: BBC)   

Cohesion and integration

NHS Trust executives and leaders have warned that St George’s flags are creating ‘no-go zones’ for NHS staff, with some facing frequent abuse. Following a survey conducted among senior managers, many reported incidents of discrimination and concerns around the safety of nurses visiting clients’ houses alone. (Source: Sky News)  

A new report has found that the UK is becoming increasingly divided in its political attitudes. Perceived tensions between migrants and people in the UK has risen from 74% in 2023 to 84% today. (Source: Ipsos)  

A briefing paper on far-right protests and the increasing influence of US Hard Right movements on migration discourse in the UK seeks to explain how community safety is being put in jeopardy by these narratives, and how non-governmental organisations can operate in this increasingly tense space. (Source: IRR)  

International news

At least 27 people died after a boat carrying Rohingya people capsized off the Malaysia-Thailand coast. (Source: Reuters)  

Many sub-Saharan African migrants who returned home via an EU-funded programme report that promised reintegration support was delayed or never delivered. (Source: AP news)  

The United States government has transferred $7.5 million to the government of Equatorial Guinea to facilitate the deportation of non-citizens from the U.S. under a broader ‘third country’ deportation scheme. (Source: The Guardian)  

Stories that inspired us this week

Three refugee businesses have been sharing their family recipes in this year’s St Nicholas Market in Bristol. The successful candidates, hailing from Hong Kong and Sudan, were offered training by the Co-exist Community Kitchen. (Source: BBC)  

Artists from refugee background living in Ethiopia showcased their artworks in an exhibition organised by the Shama Institute for Cultural Exchange. Artists who had to flee their homes were able to express themselves creatively through this exhibition. (Source: PressTV)  

In celebration of the 2025 Refugee Entrepreneurship Network (REN) Summit at Loughborough University London’s campus, three refugees shared their stories of resilience and how they became successful business owners. (Source: University of Loughborough)