Migration news roundup week commencing 15 June 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.
Content warning: This week's news roundup contains references to themes around self-harm and suicide that readers may find distressing.
- Cohesion and integration
- UK borders and migration policy
- Specific migrant groups
- International news
- Stories that inspired us this week
Cohesion and integration
Following a knife attack and subsequent unrest in Belfast, Belong’s CEO said that the violence doesn’t represent the vast majority of people in the UK – as demonstrated by an anti-racism rally in Belfast within the same week. Pockets of violence and unrest were apparently encouraged online and targeted families based on their race; this article describes migrant care workers trapped at home by fire and rioters and reports that families of different nationalities fled their homes. A man with refugee status was charged with attempted murder; following questions about how he originally travelled to the UK through the Common Travel Area, the BBC factchecker shared an analysis of asylum and the Common Travel Area rules in Northern Ireland. (Sources: Belong, Independent, the Guardian, BBC)
In recent months in a Merseyside village, migrant care workers have been targets of racist abuse from young people leaving them feeling unsafe in their work. (Source: Liverpool Echo)
A woman originally from the Philippines with permanent settlement describes how uncertainty of the current political climate prompted her to take the Life in the UK Test, despite not being required to. (Source: BBC)
Local authorities in London have been called out for how they allocate housing to some vulnerable people from overseas. This article describes ‘out of area placements’ as far as the North East for people with refugee status and modern slavery survivors, separating them from their support networks. Ministers are reportedly reviewing the practice. (Source: the Guardian)
UK borders and migration policy
Two men are the first to be sentenced for the new offence of endangering others while crossing the Channel. The article gives some background about the two men; one fled civil war in Sudan and the other was fearful of being targeted by the Taliban in Afghanistan. (Source: the Standard)
This updated data briefing on people crossing the Channel in small boats highlights 13% lower numbers in the year ending May 2026 than in the previous 12-month period. Here’s an updated overview of recent migration statistics from the BBC fact-checking service, including asylum and small boat numbers. (Sources: Migration Observatory, BBC)
We don’t hear so much about when people are refused entry to the UK. Here’s an updated briefing on criminal convictions and poor character as grounds for refusal to enter or remain in the UK. Another briefing explains why applications for a visitor visa may be refused, including inability to provide a main reason for the visit, and not being able to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover a trip. From 2021-2024 United Arab Emirates had the highest grant rate, while Chad had the lowest. (Sources: Free Movement, House of Commons Library)
News items related to enforcement include:
An independent, annual prison monitoring report raises many concerns about treatment of people detained in immigration facilities. It describes self-harm and suicide attempts as ‘widespread’, while new challenges include the number of people found to be children under the ‘one in one out’ scheme. (Source: Independent Monitoring Board)
Home Office contractor Mitie has launched an investigation into racism from staff members in immigration removal centres. (Source: the Guardian)
An Egyptian man recently removed from the UK after multiple attempts talks about his experience and the effect on him. (Source: the Guardian)
Specific migrant groups
A Home Office-commissioned evaluation of a pilot scheme to increase the 'move on' period for leaving asylum accommodation from 28 to 56 days concluded that the change was widely welcomed and led to improved outcomes, with earlier action to prevent homelessness and fewer crisis interventions. (Source: Home Office)
A thinktank report looks at how homelessness and immigration status are related, drawing on research partly conducted in Yorkshire and Humber and presenting models providing a combination of advice, welfare expertise and housing support known to be successful. The report points out links to government aspirations to end homelessness, as a quarter of people rough sleeping are non-UK nationals. (Source: IPPR)
News about the asylum system includes:
In North East Lincolnshire there are opposing views in discussions among leaders about taking part in the asylum system. (Source: Grimsby Telegraph)
Official statistics show the backlog of asylum appeals is still rising, despite a declining number of appeals being lodged recently. The length of time waiting for a court date for appeals is now thought to be around three years for new cases. The appeal grant rate is 40%. (Sources: Ministry of Justice, Free Movement)
On children and young people:
Proposed Home Office changes to asylum return arrangements have prompted concerns from the Association of Directors of Children’s Services about the potential impact on local authorities supporting young people. (Source: Children and Young People Now)
‘Ny Name is Samim’, an award-winning novel drew inspiration from the experiences of a teenage refugee in Scotland. (Source: The Scotsman)
There are two new modern slavery publications:
An evaluation of an employability programme for women survivors found it helped to reduce vulnerability and participants made progress personally and professionally. (Source: Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre)
This set of resources is for organisations supporting survivors returning voluntarily to their home countries. (Source: IOM)
International news
The UN Refugee Agency reported that the global refugee population has declined for the first time in a decade, largely due to increased returns in some major displacement situations such as Afghanistan, Sudan and Syria, although many are returning to precarious environments. Colombia was the top host country. You can read the detail in their 2026 Global Trends report. (Sources: Reuters, UNHCR)
The Thai government’s decision to allow refugees from Myanmar access to legal employment was highlighted as a model to other refugee-hosting countries by the UN. (Source: Reuters)
Stories that inspired us this week
Sporting news often celebrates migration. In this World Cup story, you can find out about how opportunities overseas shaped the Haiti men’s football squad. Relatedly, this article draws together research about the link between migration and footballing success. (Source: The Conversation)
Events during Refugee Week in Craven include talks about supporting refugee communities during both World Wars, while libraries have a special selection of books to borrow. (Source: Telegraph and Argus)