IMMIGRATION NEWS WEEKLY ROUNDUP - 8th SEPTEMBER 2023

The hot topic in UK immigration this week continues to be asylum seekers crossing the English Channel in small boats. Despite a record number of arrivals this past weekend, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick advised Parliament that total small boat crossings are actually down 20% compared to last year.

?Jenrick also updated on Home Office efforts to tackle the backlog of asylum cases awaiting initial decisions. He stated 2,500 new caseworkers are in place and the backlog is on track for elimination by year's end. This is welcome news, but many applicants have already waited well over a year.

?On the procedural front, a new electronic filing practice direction for the Upper Tribunal's Immigration and Asylum Chamber will take effect from November 1st, 2023. All documents must be submitted online, with only exceptional allowances for paper filing. This aims to modernize and increase efficiency, but could disadvantage appellants without digital access or skills.

?Meanwhile, serious concerns persist over accommodating unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in hotels. Despite court rulings deeming this unlawful, over 100 minors have recently been housed this way. Organizations have criticized the practice given hundreds of children have gone missing from hotels.

The latest High Court judgment declared the Home Secretary's routine hotel use for these children illegal. The Court also quashed an agreement between the Home Office and Kent County Council that had capped the number of minors Kent would accept. The Council maintains it cannot cope with arrivals seeking its care.

On business immigration, the Home Office continues expanding its advisory network on future skills-based policies. The most recent additions cover education bodies, as engagement across sectors is crucial for crafting a balanced, effective immigration system.

?Also, the Home Office has published its latest figures on application fees on 7th September 2023. A breath of relief as its noted that no changes pertaining to the increment have taken place yet!

?In summary, while asylum and skills-based immigration remains works in progress, the Courts and advisory groups provide checks on executive power and venues for stakeholder input. Sustained scrutiny and consultation will be critical as the UK navigates this complex policy landscape.

Additionally, least we forget the recent revelations about rogue immigration lawyers in the UK have provided further justification for the government's increased scrutiny of immigration advisors. Legal regulators have responded by issuing new statements and policies aimed at ensuring stricter compliance standards among immigration advisors. This highlights the importance, now more than ever, for advisors to stay current on the latest rules and regulations. Doing so will enable advisors to strike the necessary balance of protecting clients' best interests while also upholding the rule of law. Advisors must take care to provide lawful and ethical advice to avoid contributing to negative perceptions of the profession as a whole. Overall, the situation underscores advisors' duty to proactively monitor regulatory changes and provide advice accordingly.

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This and more are covered in our Immigration News Weekly Roundup. The full list of updates on media news, reported case law and Home Office Policy and other document updates, visit our blog here