Migration news roundup 28 April 2025
This Migration News Roundup presents a selection of news, policy, research and statistics from the previous week on migration-related topics. The contents of each story do not necessarily reflect the views of Migration Yorkshire.
- UK borders and migration policy
- Specific migrant groups
- Cohesion and integration
- International news
- Stories that inspired us this week
UK borders and migration policy
The government has announced plans to publish more detailed, regular and reliable data on the nationalities of ‘foreign national offenders’ and the types of offences committed, by the end of 2025. (As background, this House of Lords Library 2024 briefing explains the legal requirement for the government to deport people sentenced to at least 12 months in prison). There are concerns in some quarters that making the data available will increase negativity towards certain nationalities. (Sources: Home Office, UK Parliament, the Guardian)
This analysis tries to assess progress on Labour’s pledges on migration through data, concluding that net migration will continue falling and a significant asylum backlog remains particularly at the appeals stage. However, it’s difficult to be sure of the impact of independent migration trends on the pledges or past or present policy, including domestic training to reduce reliance on overseas workers, the impact of policy on small boat crossings, and whether increasing returns will continue. (Source: Migration Observatory)
A Yorkshire MP has proposed an amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill that would require government to report annually to parliament on its policies on working rights for asylum seekers and hold parliamentary debates on the subject. (Source: UK Parliament)
Research has found over 60% of immigration legal aid providers in Wales closed in the past seven years. The investigation uncovered repeated cases of poor practice and exploitation of people seeking legal help. (Source: BBC)
Specific migrant groups
On asylum:
- The Home Office released statistics revealing almost 6,000 assaults on asylum seekers from January 2023 to August 2024. Separate data shows complaints are often related to contractors providing support. (Source: the Guardian)
- This updated briefing looks in some detail at the ‘sorry state of the UK asylum system’, suggesting that speedy decision-making is coming at a cost of quality decisions with only 52% passing internal quality control checks in 2023/24, displacing pressure to the appeals system. It argues the system is overwhelmed due to mismanagement rather than the number of asylum claims. It also points out the impact of mass recruitment of inexperienced decision makers. (Source: Free Movement)
This resource brings together good practice from the voluntary and community sector supporting people with the transition to a fully digital immigration system. (Source: New Europeans)
The government is making £150,000 available through the Community Engagement Fund to improve awareness of the Windrush compensation and documentation scheme, particularly among non-Caribbean nationalities. Applications close on 28 May. (Source: gov.uk)
Cohesion and integration
Ahead of local elections, journalists headed to Doncaster to discuss local attitudes to immigration and how they might affect the upcoming vote. (Source: the Guardian)
So much is happening in Calderdale! This Valley of Sanctuary published a blogpost on the arts organisations welcoming refugees to the local area including dance groups, writer’s circles and their Cinema of Sanctuary. (Source: Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary)
International news
In Europe:
- Following the death of Pope Francis, this article reflects on how his papacy was marked by his compassion for refugees, highlighted by a 2016 visit to Lesbos when he brought Syrian families back to Rome. (Source: the Guardian)
- This piece looks at the experiences of young professionals with migrant backgrounds in Germany highlighting their struggles with identity and belonging, torn between personal freedoms and opportunities yet increasingly feeling alienated. (Source: InfoMigrants)
This opinion piece argues President Trump's policies are having a complex impact on European anti-migration populism, both strengthening and weakening it. While his actions have led to increased instability, they’ve caused many Europeans to favour stability and moderate governance over populist rhetoric. (Source: EU Observer)
Stories that inspired us this week
The Rahimis, an Afghan family in Northallerton, organised a pop-up restaurant over the Easter weekend offering Afghan meals to show their gratitude for the local support and welcome they’ve received. (Source: Darlington and Stockton Times)
This article tells the story of Michael, who came from Kenya to Scotland for studies, only to discover that his scholarship was a scam. Migrant Help and local services meant he received mental health support, found ways to complete his studies and started a promising apprenticeship. (Source: Migrant Help)