The Court of Appeal gave judgment this morning in R (AR) (Afghanistan) -v- SSHD dismissing the Home Office appeal against the decision of Collins J in the High Court in November 2005. The Court of Appeal confirmed the High Court decision and clarified the legal position on what should count as a fresh application for asylum.
If a “failed asylum-seeker” presents new evidence to the Home Office which would lead to a reasonable prospect of succeeding in an appeal before an immigration judge, the Home Office must “record a fresh claim for asylum”.
A “fresh claim” means that the applicant can receive welfare support while it is being dealt with, and also may appeal to an immigration judge if the Home Secretary goes on to refuse the fresh claim after fully considering it.
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October 23, 2007
18 October 2007
New research by the Refugee Council and the University of Birmingham contains powerful evidence of refugees’ own experiences and understanding of integration.
Carried out in the London Borough of Haringey and Dudley in the West Midlands, the research is an important contribution to the debate about integration and settlement into Britain.
While the report shows that there are some successes, it is widely accepted that integration in many areas is poor, and various government initiatives are in place to try to address this. However, the research shows that Home Office policies on asylum, including restrictions on the right to work, benefits below the poverty line and lack of help with settling into the UK until people have been granted leave to stay hinders integration and creates more divided communities.
(more…)
October 23, 2007
The Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne, pledged a ‘new balance in migration policy’ during a speech to public servants in Essex today.
Speaking to an audience drawn from key local representatives in education, business and local Government, the Minister set out a 12-month programme of sweeping changes to Britain’s immigration systems and strategy. (more…)
October 23, 2007
