MiCLU

Briefing: is the modern slavery identification system in the UK being misused? - Free Movement The Home Secretary has claimed (as have many of the last several of them) that the modern slavery identification process is "being misused" and has used this

From last week: Briefing: is the modern slavery identification system in the UK being misused? | Sonia Lenegan

Highly recommended exhibition! Featuring artwork from super creative young people and running from 1 October to 19 December, pop in to Oxford House near Bethnal Green tube between 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday to catch this inspiring show.

Imposing restrictions on the most vulnerable requiring them to earn basic rights is a new low for this government. Human rights are not 'earned': they are inherent and universal.

Starmer to end asylum ‘golden ticket’ of resettlement and family reunion rights People granted asylum will have to earn right to invite family in plan charities say is ‘straight from populist playbook’

The idea that any of the young people we work with have a 'golden ticket' through being recognised as a refugee in the UK is to deny the very nature of the mistreatment, trauma, separation from family and loss of the protection of their home country which qualifies them as refugees. bit.ly/4nSRpxi

Shabana Mahmood to demand migrants earn right to settled status New tests will include learning English to a high standard, paying National Insurance and not claiming benefits.

The current visa system already leaves many migrants facing poverty, working multiple jobs, as they pay the often tens of thousands of pounds in costs.

Proposed changes from this government continues the dehumanising treatment of us as we are treated as second class.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The Home Office's own guidance recognises that survivors of #ModernSlavery often delay disclosing their experiences, yet policies still penalise them for doing so. Instead of treating this as a suspicion, the government should focus on protection, not punishment and hostility.

This story was on R4 this morning. For me the fact that this kid has spent 9 of her young 12 years of life on Asylum Support at £5-6/day in deep persistent poverty. 15000 children like her are growing up on Asylum Support each year. But no that wasn't the story. It was why are ppl taking taxis.

The right to provide vital public services is being stifled by the far-right and by cowardly politicians. We are providing services for all kinds of people and a threat to us is a threat to everyone doing similar work. We will keep going because we believe in the right to care for each other.

British by descent: when the child of a British citizen is not themselves British - Free Movement A child born abroad to British citizen parents who were themselves born abroad is not automatically British at birth. While this might be no shock to

New from FM: British by descent: when the child of a British citizen is not themselves British | Colin Yeo

UK anti-slavery commissioner condemns Shabana Mahmood’s asylum comments Home secretary’s remarks about ‘vexatious’ claims will have real-life impact on trafficking victims, says Eleanor Lyons

The govt knows perfectly well that many people arriving from France have been victims of trafficking/ modern slavery en route- Libya being a particularly egregious location for this- & it’s completely dishonest to suggest otherwise, or strip protections from victims to serve its Reform-lite agenda

Immigration law firm making £1.7m in legal aid loses contract over standards Thousands of asylum seekers left without lawyers after firm took on thousands of cases with just five solicitors

Good quality legal advice is essential in navigating the immigration system.

But thousands of isolated people have been forced to turn to false offers of 'support' after decades of legal aid cuts and neglect. We need a fully resourced legal aid system now! 1/ ⬇️

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Graphic poster featuring a quote by Steven, Manchester. It reads, "Pitting the public against people fleeing war and persecution is only hindering community cohesion." The design includes abstract shapes in black and pastel colors on a green background.

Graphic poster featuring a quote bubble with a message wishing for Keir Starmer to recognize refugees as equals, signed by Emmanuel, MCR. The background includes abstract shapes in various colors.

Today feels like a good day to remember that most of us believe in welcome 💜
Here are some of the thousands of messages we've received from supporters recently. We'll be delivering them to Number 10, because it seems the government needs this reminder too.

Raise the alarm: Five changes to immigration policy you need to know about From asylum seeker deportations to new detention centres, swipe to read about the latest changes and how you can help.

🚨 Raise the alarm: While the Rwanda policy drew outrage, a new wave of harmful immigration policies is going under the radar.

Detention + deportation changes are deeply damaging, and we’re urgently fundraising to provide free legal support.

Read more & donate: www.biduk.org/articles/rai...

We've just updated our blog to explain about the changes, and what this means for people who did not manage to submit an application before the deadline.

There are other possible routes to apply depending on an individual's circumstances, and we go through them here: gmiau.org/refugee-fami...

A reminder that the deadline for all refugee family reunion applications is today at 3pm.

if people can’t apply for family to join them after their successful asylum applications, more women and children will be forced to make illegal and dangerous journeys to the UK, rather than sending male relatives first who later plan to reunite with family. this is: obvious.

There are very reasonable and practical solutions to ending the long wait in the asylum system which is partially responsible for the unsustainable use of hotel accommodation. Not LEAST just granting asylum to people from countries like Afghanistan, Sudan etc. who are already here.

Home Office plans to slash the move-on period for newly-recognised refugees from 56 days back to just 28—pushing people who’ve been granted safety in the UK towards homelessness this winter.

We need you to write to your MP and demand #56DaysToStability now. Everyone deserves a home.

Asylum hotels: Reporting the other side of the story - Migrant & Refugee Children's Legal Unit Over the past days it has been impossible not to hear about the ‘legitimate concerns’ of people demonstrating outside asylum hotels, from unscrupulous politicians and journalists alike. But virtually ...

In recent days we've heard so much news regarding protests about asylum hotels, but who is reporting what's it like to be living in such a place? MiCLU lawyer Esme Madill shares some of her clients' experiences: miclu.org/news/asylum-...

🚨 Thousands of trafficking survivors continue to be denied permission to stay in the UK despite their critical need for safety and support — a new report by @helenbamber.bsky.social, ATLEU & @ecpatuk.bsky.social reveals.

Instead survivors are left in fear and at risk of further exploitation. 🧵1/3

Latest inspection report finds that decade old concerns about age assessments remain unanswered - Free Movement The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) has published a report following an inspection of the Home Office’s use of age assessments.

New from FM: Latest inspection report finds that decade old concerns about age assessments remain unanswered | Stewart MacLachlan

Please be in touch if there is an organisation you think we should add, or if you want to update your own entry, or with any feedback 🙏

Our directory was created to help young migrants, refugees and asylum seekers find nearby support services. You can search for a keyword, location or organisation name, or browse via the map.

Need to know what services are available locally for young asylum seekers? Check out our services map, newly updated! miclu.org/servicesmap

New report by @HelenBamber, @ATLEU_UK & @ECPATUK

- just 4% of trafficking survivors got permission to stay in the UK for their recovery/to assist the police in 2024
- of 699 confirmed child victims, less than 5 received temporary permission to stay as victims

Alongside the London boroughs, we call for a compassionate, coordinated approach that will help young people build safe and hopeful futures.

The report makes some solid recommendations:
- All UASC to have an independent guardian
- All young asylum seekers to have timely, child-centred legal representation
- Age disputes only in the case of significant doubt about age
- Consistent integration and belonging support

"That was the hard thing, and if you don't have anyone you can trust, how do you navigate the system - how do you understand the system?"

Quoted in the report is Gersi, who travelled to Croydon on his own when he was 16. Gersi said: "I never had somebody there who I could speak to, who I could open up to about how about I was feeling. [...]

Asylum-seeking children in London need more support, says report Research finds that almost all young people struggled with the process and some found it traumatising.

Almost all young asylum seekers struggle with the asylum process, and some find it traumatising, research by @londoncouncils.bsky.social has shown:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...