Migration news roundup week commencing 27 July 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.

• 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 new Immigration and Asylum Bill continues to come under scrutiny:

• In case you missed it, the Joint Committee on Human Rights is accepting evidence for their legislative scrutiny inquiry considering the impact of the Bill on human rights. Relatedly, the Public Bill Committee is inviting submissions to aid their detailed examination of the Bill, ahead of their first meeting scheduled for 10 September. (Source: UK Parliament) 

• Religious leaders from Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths have written to the new Prime Minister calling for him to reverse the reforms, which they say 'undermine social cohesion.' (Source: Church Times)

• This piece considers the viability and impact of introducing a repayment scheme for refugees, concluding that it will have a significant effect on people's ability to settle and integrate. (Source: UK in Changing Europe) 

After nine consecutive days with no small boat crossings, and a 42% drop in arrivals compared to this time last year, 172 migrants reached the UK while another 97 were rescued off the coast of France. The fall in small boat crossings is discussed in this podcast with a decline in migrants reaching Europe mentioned as one of the potential reasons. (Sources: the Independent, InfoMigrants, The Briefing Room, 28 minutes)

The caseworker's guidance on considering applications under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme has been updated with new information on assessing fraud and withdrawing eligibility from those who have yet to relocate to the UK. (Source: Home Office) 

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published the outcome of the second stage of their review into occupations included in the Temporary Shortage List focused on medium-skilled occupations. (Source: MAC)

Specific migrant groups

The Leader of Hull City Council said he’d had confirmation that all the people that are seeking asylum and currently residing in a specific hotel in Hull will be moved into alternative accommodation by October. (Source: BBC)

A refugee who received a custodial sentence for travelling to the UK on a false passport has had her conviction quashed. Sadia Adow, who fled Somalia in 2007, had been prevented from applying for British citizenship despite living in the UK for 19 years. The judges ruled that she had 'suffered a substantial injustice.' (Source: BBC)

The Upper Tribunal has dismissed the Home Office's appeal and upheld a ruling allowing a Palestinian refugee to bring extended family to the UK under the refugee family reunion rules previously in place. Meanwhile, another Palestinian refugee who remains separated from her two children and husband discusses the impact of suspension on her family. (Sources: Jewish News, inews)

New research on modern slavery has found that corporations focus on reporting risks rather than building relationships with workers and identifying problems that are hidden in their supply chains. (Source: Digital Information World)

News on international students include:

• Are international students at risk of being wrongly punished for using AI in their work? This article explores how detection tools can struggle to distinguish between AI and the writing style of students who don't have English as their main language. (Source: Higher Education Policy Institute)

• A data briefing on overseas students who get jobs after graduating suggests that more graduates than previously switch to a work visa and a large proportion are underemployed, working in the care sector. (Source: Migration Observatory)

• Three students who had received offers to study Masters degrees at UK universities, which were subsequently withdrawn, are taking legal action against the Home Office, following a ban on international students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. (Source: Independent) 

Cohesion and integration

A useful resource for those applying for naturalisation as a British citizen provides an overview of the requirements and process, with accompanied examples. Relatedly, this new research briefing aimed at MPs explains eligibility for British citizenship and the process of applying for a British passport. (Sources: Free Movement, House of Commons Library) 

International news

Malaysia has instructed UNHCR to temporarily suspend new refugee registrations while it restructures its national refugee registration system. (Source: MediaSelangor)

Ethiopia is expanding its ‘Makatet’ initiative, supported by UNHCR, which aims to integrate more than a million refugees into national education, healthcare and employment systems. (Source: the Guardian)

UNHCR reported that 144 refugees and migrants died or went missing in maritime incidents off Mauritania. (Source: AP News)

Reports indicate that diplomatic efforts are underway to encourage continued United States support for UNHCR amid concerns over its future engagement with the agency. (Source: ABCNews)

Stories that inspired us this week

New Energy Secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh left Liberia as a child with her family due to civil war and was granted asylum in the UK. With a successful career in economic development prior to going into politics, she has said that 'immigration is a success story of every country.' Meanwhile, recent University of Manchester graduate, Makagbeh Princess Sesay who also fled Liberia as a child hopes to work reducing health inequalities after gaining a public health degree aged 52. She said, 'you can still make it in life, once you follow your dreams and be strong and work hard and find the right support.' (Sources: The Africa Report, BBC)

Bradford’s been busy! 

• Yvonne Stocks, co-founder and director of the Palm Cove Society, has been recognised for her work supporting refugees and modern slavery survivors, with an 'outstanding contribution' award from Bradford University.

• Westbourne Primary School in Manningham has received a Whole School Welcome Award for their response to children seeking sanctuary. 

• Ahmad Hamdan, who fled Syria as a child, celebrated first-class honours success at Bradford University saying, 'I never thought this would become a reality, especially having to adapt into a new culture and language.' He hopes to become a chemist. (Sources: Telegraph and Argus)