Migration news roundup week commencing 13 July 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.

UK borders and migration policy

Here’s a briefing on the new Immigration and Asylum Bill currently going through the Parliament, with the second reading scheduled for 13 July. We’ve seen various responses to the proposals in the Bill and changes to the wider immigration system, including plans to make people repay the costs of their asylum accommodation and government's new community sponsorship route for refugees inspired by the Canadian model. Meanwhile, the Home Secretary gave evidence to the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs committee rejecting accusations that the new Independent Immigration Appeals Authority (IIAA) prioritises speed over justice. (Sources: House of Commons Library, Al Jazeera, The Conversation, Law Gazette)   

An All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Migration and APPG on Poverty and Inequality report on the implications of the recent and proposed asylum and migration system reforms on poverty and welfare of migrants found that the cumulative impact of the measures is likely to be significant and wide-ranging, undermining the wider government’s commitments to ending child poverty and homelessness. (Source: APPG on Migration) 

On modern slavery:  

In other news, a Public Law Project report highlights the need for good quality interpretation within the immigration and asylum tribunal arguing that a lack of cultural understanding often leads to mistakes. And a leading policy think tank proposes a new approach to investment migration, which promises to reduce the risks of abuse traditionally associated with investment visas and maximises economic impact. (Sources: Electronic Immigration Network, IPPR). 

Finally, Shabana Mahmood vowed to change the law to allow deportation of the Rochdale gang leader to Pakistan. (Sources: the Guardian)   

Specific migrant groups

A person seeking asylum who benefited from the ‘one-in, one out’ deal with France by arriving in the UK, says he does not support the scheme, describing it as unfair on those who are deported. More on the deal, safeguarding concerns were raised over treatment of unaccompanied children, with cases of children being misidentified as adults, leading to detention and potential removal from the UK before their age and vulnerability were properly assessed.(Sources: the Guardian, Oxford Law Blogs University of Oxford)  

News on international students include:  

There are lots of free articles about migration and housing in this academic journal, including a focus on people from Hong Kong, Ukraine and those in the Move-on process. (Source: Social Science)  

In case you missed it, the 5th EU Citizens’ Gathering organised by the EU Delegation and the3million took place on 1 July in Birmingham. The event brought together community leaders, civil society organisations, policy makers, diplomats and EU citizens from across the UK. (Source: Delegation of the European Union to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland)  

Cohesion and integration

Green Man Festival's refugee programme shows how an opportunity to get involved, learn new skills and meet new people can help refugees and people seeking asylum feel more at home and connected to the UK. (Source: the Guardian)  

An investigation into threats made against City of Sanctuary staff over the past year reveals how misinformation in the national media affects not only people seeking asylum and refugees but those working with them. Similarly, an in-depth article about protests outside the Bell Hotel in Essex uncovers how the involvement of the far right affected the local community as well as those residing inside the hotel. (Sources: The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, the Guardian)   

International news

The Pope marked the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States with a visit to the migrant gateway island of Lampedusa, where he urged European leaders to take a more compassionate and long-term approach to migration. He further delivered a landmark address celebrating America's long history of welcoming migrants and calling on people to uphold the nation's founding ideals. (Sources: BBC, the Guardian)  

As anti-immigrant protests continue in South Africa, this article argues that a well-funded, increasingly mainstream xenophobic movement is exploiting post-apartheid frustrations and economic insecurity to blame African migrants for broader social problems. (Source: the Guardian)   

Stories that inspired us this week

Here you can listen to what the Afghan Refugee Women's Cricket Team has been up to this summer, playing military teams during a UK tour. (Source: Forces News)  

Despite the hot weather, Kurdish business owners in Hull organised a litter pick with their local councillor as a way of thanking the city for a warm welcome. (Source: Hull Daily Mail)