Welcome to the weekly Free Motion e-newsletter!
I observed what seems to be an attention-grabbing change of framing on eVisas final week. A written question for the Home Office on the roll out of the brand new system was answered in a manner that appears to downplay the significance of the top of yr deadline:
“The transition to eVisas does not impact a customer’s underlying immigration status. For many, the end 2024 deadline will have no impact; most people don’t need to prove their immigration status on a day-to-day basis, and many of the checks performed will be unaffected by the expiry of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs).
BRP holders will also still be able to use the online right to work and rent services to prove their rights once their BRP expires – provided they still have valid status – although we will encourage them to register for an account and to use that to access those services.”
This reply in fact fails to acknowledge the doubtless catastrophic affect on those that are affected, on condition that an incapability to show immigration standing may end up in the lack of work and or house. The inadequacy of the prevailing on-line proper to work and lease companies for these with legitimate depart however expired biometric residence permits was considered in detail in the recent RAMFEL section 3C case, with even the Dwelling Workplace accepting that there was a threat of drawback.
On Free Motion, now we have printed a new course on age assessments, and tickets for our new season of webinars and workshops are already promoting nicely so don’t miss out!
Final week I wrote up a case that was unreported once we printed however was formally reported on Friday, this was an Upper Tribunal decision on Zambrano carers. We additionally coated a new report by Asylos for these working with younger folks and youngsters from Sudan. Our briefing on applying for an ancestry visa has been updated.
The latest trafficking statistics have been printed, overlaying the interval April to June 2024. Delays stay excessive and optimistic selections by the immigration enforcement competent authority stay very low, notably when contrasted with the only competent authority.
For every little thing else on the weblog and elsewhere, learn on.
Cheers, Sonia
What we’re studying
I came to the UK as an Afghan refugee. The far-right riots remind me of the hatred I fled – Hyphen, 12 August
Number of UK asylum seekers who died in Home Office care doubles in a year – The Guardian, 19 August
Rise in DNA tests being used to claim citizenship of other countries – The Observer, 18 August
Council data breach sees personal details of Ukrainian refugees released – STV Information, 16 August
The UK’s ‘Safe and Legal’ Humanitarian Routes: from Colonial Ties to Privatising Protection – The Political Quarterly, 16 August
Functioning asylum system would deter migrant Channel crossings, says NCA boss – The Normal, 15 August
Boat on which at least eight died in Channel was ‘wholly unsuitable’ – The Guardian, 15 August
Britain has many levers for controlling migration. Which ones should it pull? – The Economist, 15 August
‘Abhorrent chapter’: New bill proposes 90-day cap on immigration detention – SBS Information Australia, 19 August
