IMMIGRATION NEWS WEEKLY ROUND UP - 12th JANUARY 2024

This week has seen a flood of updates regarding the UK government's controversial policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda. The policy, first announced under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in April 2022, has faced ongoing legal challenges and implementation issues. However, the current government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appears determined to push forward with the policy despite continued opposition.

On Tuesday, the opposition Labour party has tabled a vote in Parliament calling for the release of documents relating to the financial and legal aspects of the Rwanda deportation scheme. This includes requests for the estimated cost of relocating each individual to Rwanda, all payments made to the Rwandan government, and any advice relating to adherence with international laws. The vote reflects ongoing concerns that the policy violates international human rights laws.

In a separate development, leaked documents suggest that Prime Minister Sunak himself had doubts about the Rwanda policy when he was Chancellor, believing it to be more costly than using hotels and reception centres. This contradicts the Government's position that the deportations will save public money.

The policy faces additional scrutiny from France, which released a report stating the UK is not cooperating sufficiently on intelligence sharing and joint operations to curb small boat Channel crossings. With legal challenges ongoing and political opposition mounting, the future of the Rwanda deportation policy remains uncertain despite the government's renewed push this week. We will continue to monitor developments on this controversial issue.

?Further controversy arose this week following reports that a Spanish woman was wrongly deported after returning from holiday in Spain. Despite presenting paperwork showing her rights to live and work in the UK, she was detained at Luton Airport on December 26th and flown back to Spain the next day after being told her paperwork was invalid. The case has prompted demands for answers from the Home Office about why valid paperwork was ignored.

Additionally, a planned 66% increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge is facing delay and uncertainty. The increase from ￡624 to ￡1036 per year was originally set to take effect on January 16th but will now be debated on January 10th, pushing the implementation date back at least until January 31st. With opposition parties signalling their intent to oppose the hike, further delays seem likely. We will keep readers updated on any developments.

Join our director, David Jones’ live online course,? Certification, Inadmissibility and The Rwanda Regime.? This timely course will cover in-depth analysis to equip you with the knowledge integral to an immigration advisor’s practice as deportations resume. With vulnerable migrants still exposed to risk of deportation flights amid ongoing legal uncertainty, this is a prime opportunity to further gain updates of this professionally important issue.

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The planned increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will make family visa applications even more costly. On top of the minimum income threshold rising for spouses seeking to join their partners in the UK, the IHS hike adds a significant additional burden. With the IHS fee jumping 66%, families already struggling to meet the financial requirements will be hard hit. ?The IHS increase risks pricing out low- and middle-income families, preventing them from reuniting with partners and children in the UK. While healthcare funding challenges exist, the IHS disproportionately impacts families and undermines efforts to create a fair and equitable immigration system.

Do seize the opportunity to attend HJT’s live online course: Appendix FM Pathways for Partners and Settlement with Expert Brendan Beder to address the upcoming changes to the Rules. More info or to book, click here.

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Ongoing education is key for immigration professionals facing rapidly changing policies. HJT Training offers accredited CPD courses across business, family, and settlement pathways and exam preparation for staying current. As regulations transform, trusted training keeps advisors equipped with in-depth knowledge.

At HJT, we aim to provide immigration advisors the insightful training needed to excel in this climate of change.?

For a full list of course scheduled for this year, visit our course archive here.

For enquiries, contact us [email protected] or call 075441 64692.

For the full list of updates on media news, reported case law and Home Office Policy and other document updates, visit our blog here