Their Lordships speak out: deportations to Iran must end
Britain must radically change its immigration policy and end immediately the deportation of failed asylum-seekers who fear persecution in Iran, a group of leading peers will tell the Government today.
The call for a moratorium on asylum removals is a direct response to the plight of Mehdi Kazemi, a gay Iranian teenager facing execution if he returns to Iran, whose case has been taken up by The Independent. (more…)
March 28, 2008
The number of people applying for asylum in the UK fell by over 2,000 in 2006 to its lowest level since 1993, according to statistics published by the Home Office today.
The figures show that 23,610 applications, excluding dependants, were lodged last year, representing an eight per cent fall in applications when compared with 2005.
While asylum applications continue to fall, the removal of those with no right to be in the UK reached record levels. In 2006, 63,865 people were removed from the UK, an increase of ten per cent on 2005 levels. The number of failed asylum seekers, excluding dependants, removed last year increased by 19 per cent. (more…)
September 4, 2007
[August 2007]
Overview and implications of the Government’s new asylum model
This updated briefing presents an outline of the new asylum model and discusses its implementation to date, and outlines its strengths and our concerns.
Since 5th March 2007, the Home Office has put all new applications for asylum into the New Asylum Model (NAM). Each asylum seeker will have a named ‘case owner’ who will be responsible for dealing with all aspects of their case from initial interview to final integration or removal. They will also be subject to tighter timescales on the processing of their case and more rigorous reporting requirements. Whilst there are positive aspects to the new procedures the Refugee Council also has concerns in particular about the speed at which the new procedures operate.
This is an updated version of a briefing on the New Asylum Model published first in September 2005 and updated in March and August 2006 and June and August 2007.
Download a copy of the report(PDF)
August 13, 2007
August 2007
Questionnaires sent to 6,000 families
In July 2006 the Home Secretary announced that all asylum cases outside the New Asylum Model1 will be resolved by June 20112. These cases, formerly known as legacy cases and now called case
resolution, are being dealt with by the Case Resolution Directorate at the Border and Immigration
Agency (BIA). It is estimated that there could be as many as 450,000 such cases at all stages of the
asylum determination process, hence the need for a planned approach to their resolution. (more…)
August 7, 2007
Half a million illegal immigrants should be given the right to stay in Britain, a think tank has said. 
The Institute of Public Policy Research says such an amnesty would bring in £1bn in extra taxes, and save costs of £4.7bn needed to deport people.
It is urging Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to adopt the move, saying a large scale deportation would never happen. (more…)
July 17, 2007
Can you imagine being forbidden to work? Can you imagine being forced to work on the black market for a pittance, at the mercy of exploitative employers? Can you imagine not having enough money to satisfy your most basic needs? Can you imagine not having anywhere to stay? (more…)
July 17, 2007
Dear All,
Please find a link below to the Refugee Council’s briefing on the legacy questionnaires that has been produced, it’s quite sel explanatory.
As regards to what the Refugee COuncil can do in the region, we have established a referral system to solicitors so that anybody who receives a questionnaire will have legal aid to fill it up.
Please ask anybody you know to come to the office on 1 Dewsbury Road to be referred to a solicitor and get further information on these questionnaires.
Again, please bare in mind that this IS NOT AN AMNESTY EXCERCISE.
Thank you, please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/ECFA4FFD-FCBD-47DC-BC82-C2B3CD373639/0/CaseResolutionJul07.pdf
July 15, 2007
We need to alert you to two sets of letters from the Home Office. One lot has already started dropping through people’s doors. This is the legacy questionnaire, and is part of the drive to deal with the backlog of pre Nam cases. It appears that families are being particularly targeted. If anyone you know receives such a questionnaire they MUST get legal advice before completing it, as it in effect becomes a constituent part of their asylum claim. If people do not have solicitors then get them to turn up at the Refugee Legal Centre (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) or Immigration Advisory Service (Wednesday and Thursday) as early as they can of a morning , ideally to be seen at the drop in service.(The suggestion is 8.30 am.) (more…)
July 12, 2007
