Jesuit Refugee Service UK

At JRS UK, refugee friends are sewing reusable bags for people leaving detention — offering dignity through something practical and handmade.

They’re building skills, connection, and giving back to others on the same journey.

Solidarity, stitched into every seam. 🧵💙

A pleasure to welcome the Director of JRS Venezuela, Edgar Magallanes SJ, today to our centre in London, and to learn about all the great work his team are doing!

@jrs.net

Why the ‘One in One Out’ deal creates serious risks by continuing to treat asylum as a border security issue - The Tablet Last week, the UK and French governments announced a plan to trade people trying to reach sanctuary – a “One-in-One Out” deal concerning people seeking asylum

In this piece in @thetablet.bsky.social three weeks ago, Sophie, Senior Policy Officer, explains how this dangerious deal creates serious risks by continuing to treat asylum as a border security issue

www.thetablet.co.uk/blogs/why-th...

Asylum is being reduced to a numbers game. People have been detained this morning under the 'one in one out' policy.

This deal sets a dangerous precedent - treating people seeking sanctuary as border threats, not human beings.

Most #Refugees & #AsylumSeekers seek safety from regions torn apart by war & persecution. With no #SafeRoutes, they are forced to take dangerous journeys.

We stand with #CompassionNotCruelty, welcoming them into our communities & urging the need for more safe routes.

🎨 Artist: Nikoleta Nosovska

Three weeks to go – we’ll see you at Greenbelt! 💚
We’re excited to join this year’s festival — a time to meet, reflect, and stand in solidarity with refugees.
Visit the JRS UK stall to learn more about our mission and how you can take action.

On this #WorldDayAgainstTraffickinginPersons, we’re reminded that harsh immigration policies are pushing vulnerable people further into danger. As our Senior Policy Officer Sophie explains, those trafficked while seeking safety are left with nowhere to turn. This needs to change.

Challenge Events | JRS UK Be part of something that really does change lives.

There’s still time to join Team JRS UK for the Royal Parks Half Marathon or the Vitality 10k!🏃
By running with Team JRS UK, you’ll be raising vital funds to support refugees and people seeking asylum. 💙
For more info or to sign up, visit: www.jrsuk.net/challenge-events/

For two years, Laurence has walked alongside refugee friends through Amani House, Emilie House, and the At Home project — helping transform accommodation into spaces of sanctuary, rest, and renewal.
Thank you, Laurence!💙

Read her farewell reflections: www.jrsuk.net/blog/a-journey-of-joy/

Accessing legal advice in detention: becoming an impossibility | JRS UK JRS UK’s new report shows that is extraordinarily difficult it is for people in immigration detention to access legal advice. In our survey of people in Harmondsworth, only 38% of participants had…

Others are told that someone will take their case, only to never hear from them again, and be completely unable to contact them.
This isn’t just frustrating - it’s a denial of justice.
The system is broken, and lives are at risk. Latest report: www.jrsuk.net/accessing-legal-advice-in-detention

Many people don't even know what happened when they spoke with a lawyer, or whether the lawyer took their case. And people with strong cases are refused help because lawyers don't have capacity.

When someone in detention finally manages to get a consultation the Detained Duty Advice Scheme, it should mean they can speak to a solicitor and get advice. But too often, that doesn't happen.

There are deep systemic problems with the Detained Duty Advice Scheme, which is meant to ensure access to justice but is failing - and lives are at risk.
This is not justice. It’s not humane. It must change.

Read our latest report here: www.jrsuk.net/accessing-legal-advice-in-detention/

🚨 JRS UK's newest report: Accessing legal advice in detention
For many people in immigration detention, getting legal advice is virtually impossible. Our latest report reveals that just 38% of those surveyed in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs had any legal representation.

Why the ‘One in One Out’ deal creates serious risks by continuing to treat asylum as a border security issue - The Tablet Last week, the UK and French governments announced a plan to trade people trying to reach sanctuary – a “One-in-One Out” deal concerning people seeking asylum

“Asylum is being reduced to a numbers game.”

Sophie, JRS UK Senior Policy Officer, shares why the ‘One in One Out’ deal sets a dangerous precedent - treating people seeking sanctuary as border threats, not human beings.

Read here: www.thetablet.co.uk/blogs/why-th...

We’d love to hear from you!📢

Whether you’ve been with us for years or just found out
about our work, your voice matters. Help us stay
connected in the best way possible by filling out our
short supporter survey.

It only takes a few minutes! Take the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/VKJLMJZ

Our social drop-in is full of warmth, connection and culture - and our latest one was no exception! 🍛💙 We shared delicious Eritrean & Ethiopian food with refugee friends, staff and volunteers. A reminder of the joy in sharing stories, meals and laughter.

We call for a humane, rights-based approach that upholds international obligations and protects human dignity.

🔗 Read more: jrsuk.net/news/jrs-uk-...

Under the Refugee Convention, people arriving in the UK have a right to seek asylum — they are not required to claim it in the first safe country.

We are deeply concerned this deal will lead to more detention and dangerous enforcement measures that risk breaching maritime law.

Asylum is about welcoming and protecting people who need somewhere safe to rebuild their lives.

This agreement falls short of creating the safe routes urgently needed to prevent loss of life in the Channel.

JRS urges the UK and France to centre protection and human rights in their Channel cooperation.

🧵 Asylum must not be reduced to a border security issue.

For refugee friends, a phone top-up is more than credit—it’s connection, safety, and dignity. It means reaching a GP, a solicitor, or a loved one. It means not feeling alone.
Help us keep friends connected: jrsuk.net/donate 📱💙

Together, in hope & solidarity, we’ve walked alongside refugees facing destitution & detention. With your support, JRS UK offers dignity, care & community. Thank you for standing with us 💙🫂

Pope Francis’ solidarity with migrants and refugees was a powerful hallmark of his papacy.

Dr David Ryall, Director of JRS UK, writes in the latest edition of Jesuits & Friends about how Pope Francis' legacy continues to inspire.

Read more: www.jesuit.org.uk/articles/jesuits-friends---summer-2025

Why not challenge yourself and run to raise money for people seeking sanctuary?

Whether it’s a 10K, a half marathon, or something bigger — join Team JRS UK and take on a Challenge Event in solidarity with refugees.

Find out more about how you can get involved: www.jrsuk.net/challenge-events

Our supporter survey is live! 💙 Whether you’ve been with us for years or just found us, we’d love your thoughts on how we can communicate better. It only takes a few minutes and makes a big difference.
Visit: www.surveymonkey.com/r/VKJLMJZ

Throwback to Fairfield, performed by the JRS Theatre Group during #RefugeeWeek.

Refugee friends came together to tell stories, build connection & explore what community means through theatre.

Thank you to all who joined us — and to Jesuit in Britain for capturing these scenes💙

Here’s a sneak peek of our latest #newsletter, Together! 📬
In this edition, you’ll read reflections from the Wapping Run Club community, words from our very own JRS Theatre Group, and a celebration of what we’ve achieved as a community over the last year.
jrsuk.net/summer2025

Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill | JRS UK The new government has an opportunity to fix this and build a fairer, more humane system – but their first piece of immigration legislation, going through parliament right now, is a missed…

🖊️ Now is the time to speak up. Let your MP know we want policies rooted in welcome, not hostility.
📩 Learn more and write to your MP today: www.jrsuk.net/border-security-bill

That's why we're asking you now to write to your MP about changing the course of the Bill, so that the UK can build a fair and humane asylum system.
🏛️ This includes:
✦ Ending indefinite detention
✦ Expanding family reunion
✦ Ensuring access to citizenship
✦ Repealing harmful legislation