[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
There are more than 70 countries ruled by dictators who exercise arbitrary authority over their citizens and who cannot 
be removed from power through legal means. These tyrants suppress the freedoms of speech and religion, and the right to a fair trial. Some also commit torture, execute opponents and starve their own people.
PARADE’s annual list is drawn in part on reports from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders and the U.S. State Department. Notably, there are two leaders who did not make this year’s list: Saparmurat Niyazov of Turkmenistan, No. 8 last year, died in December; and Fidel Castro, No. 15, relinquished power in Cuba to his brother Raul on July 31. Among the newcomers are Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Vladimir Putin of Russia. Some who moved up in rank are Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei, Hu Jintao of China, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and Bashar al-Assad of Syria. But by no means does this indicate that those whom they passed showed improvements. (more…)
July 10, 2007
MORE than 500 West Yorkshire volunteers give more than 100,000 hours of their time every year to help refugees and asylum seekers.
The figures have come from the Refugee Council in Yorkshire and Humberside.
Research shows the picture often painted of British people as hostile or indifferent to refugees and asylum seekers is one-sided, says the Council.
Charlotte Cooke, Refugee Council Head of Operations in Yorkshire and Humberside, said: “This research shows that Yorkshire’s tradition of welcoming people fleeing from danger is still alive and kicking. Some sections of the media and some politicians have helped to foster the idea that the vast majority of Britons are only interested in stopping people getting here in the first place or kicking them out as soon as possible. (more…)
July 6, 2007
