Migration news roundup week commencing 28 Sept 2026

View of Houses of Parliament from bridge over river Thames

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.

Specific migrant groups

News about refugee resettlement includes:

News on asylum includes:

Ukrainians still living with their hosts are concerned about the consequences of the reduction of monthly 'thank you' payments from £350 to £100, as hosts may no longer be able to continue being part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. (Source: the Guardian)

Qualitative research about the ‘Lived experiences of Roma people in England and Wales’ was published to complement official Census data. Some of the fieldwork took place in South Yorkshire, delivered by Roma peer researchers with support from Migration Yorkshire, Sheffield University and Roma organisations. (Source: Office for National Statistics)

On EU nationals, some aspects of the Home Office approach to curtailment of pre-settled status have been successfully challenged in the courts. This case relates specifically to those with Italian nationality by descent, who were told their pre-settled status in the UK was granted in error due to their citizenship only being documented after 2020. (Source: Free Movement)

As the Home Office continues to enforce compliance in the care sector, immigration lawyers are seeing more cases of small reporting errors leading to sponsors having their license revoked, rather than because of exploitative practices. The hardline approach was initially a response to rogue employers and exploitation of migrant workers, with over 4,400 revocations in the 12 months prior to June 2026. (Source: Free Movement)

Following the announcement that modern slavery victims exploited by their work sponsor can work for any employer from 8 October, this article considers how this change will be implemented, with much remaining uncertainty around process, eligibility and settlement. (Source: Free Movement)

A think tank has advised that UK universities have almost no options for growing their international student population when considering the stability and potential within different countries of origin, in the context of UK policy. (Source: The PIE)

UK borders and migration policy

News in relation to Channel crossings includes:

Decisions on earned settlement policy will be announced later this year, the Home Secretary shared in evidence to the Home Affairs Committee. This updated parliamentary briefing provides the context for developments on visa and settlement rule changes set out in the 2025 immigration white paper, highlighting that most can be made by amending the Immigration Rules. (Sources: electronic immigration network, House of Commons Library)

A House of Lords committee raised concerns about the lack of parliamentary scrutiny to changes to the Immigration Rules, following an administrative error when updating the statement of changes to the rules. (Source: House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee)

There’s been media coverage of recent figures showing almost £12 billion of Universal Credit was paid to households with at least one non-UK-born member last year. (Source: LBC)

The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), which regulates immigration advisers, announced changes to its competence assessments with the aim of strengthening the process. Online assessments are paused until November. There’s a useful explanation of the changes here. (Sources: IAA, Free Movement)

Cohesion and integration

Headlines were dominated by further anti-migrant protest activity; six people were arrested at Gosport marina during a protest and a well-known activist was investigated after appearing to slash an inflatable boat with a knife while an official from the French coastguard was onboard. There were also counter-protests by anti-racism groups, a vigil for the RNLI and mixed reactions from residents in the area. Relatedly, a report on anti-migrant trends over the summer of this year notes increasing targeting of houses of multiple occupancy. (Sources: ITV, BBC, Portsmouth News, Hope Not Hate)

A policy report on local and national solutions for preventing refugee homelessness from Homeless Link and NACCOM identifies challenges accessing housing support both before and after the granting of refugee status (the ‘move on’ period) and puts forward case studies and recommendations on how to improve integration beyond sourcing accommodation. (Source: Homeless Link)

International news

Here’s a helpful explainer on US expansion of ‘third-country’ deportations where more than 25,000 people have been sent to countries other than their own. They include first-hand accounts from affected migrants, highlighting their experiences of detention, removal and uncertainty. In contrast, Egypt has rejected European proposals to establish ‘return hubs’ for rejected asylum-seekers in North Africa. (Sources: the Guardian, The New Arab)

After the AfD party made significant electoral gains earlier this month, The Left party’s election victory in Berlin has reportedly brought hope among immigrant and pro-migrant communities. (Source: Al Jazeera)

Stories that inspired us this week

A short film called ‘Allies in Exile’ from Syrian filmmakers in the UK is coming this autumn as part of a series of international documentaries from the BBC. (Source: Counterpoints)

From a handful of volunteers in 2015 to a network of over 200 today, this magazine article shines a light on Bath Welcomes Refugees, which has helped over 800 people rebuild their lives through friendship, English lessons and practical support. (Source: Borgen Magazine)

Source URL: https://www.migrationyorkshire.org.uk/news/migration-news-roundup-week-commencing-28-sept-2026