Immigration roundup: February 2024

Free Movement

Your February roundup is here as promised. Colin and Sonia discuss Shamima Begum's latest appeal, the pause on some asylum cases, a run of decisions involving poor conduct on the part of either the Tribunals or the Home Office, as well as corporate transactions, the sudden closure of the Ukraine Family scheme and much more.

The 35 minute podcast follows the running order below.

Asylum (00:25)

Number of asylum refusals and homeless refugees skyrocket in latest statistics

How the Nationality and Borders Act has criminalised those seeking safety in the UK

Briefing: Can criminals be denied refugee status?

Home Secretary confirms “pause” on processing asylum claims

Trafficking (07:45)

Deportation order exclusion in discretionary leave policy for victims of modern slavery found unlawful

Risk of re-trafficking must be assessed before disqualification on public order grounds

Procedure (10:55)

Court of Appeal allows Iranian asylum appeal against “difficult to understand” First-tier Tribunal decision

Court of Appeal demolishes First-tier Tribunal in deportation appeal but upholds decision

Rewarding failure: Home Secretary permitted to withdraw decision under appeal following failure to admit excluded evidence

Home Secretary’s “shockingly poor” handling of case did not amount to contempt of court

Judicial review no longer the appropriate remedy to challenge age assessments in Scotland

Points based system (19:45)

Migration Advisory Committee recommends 21 occupations for the new immigration salary list following rapid review

Briefing: the immigration implications of a corporate transaction

British citizenship (21:45)

Court of Appeal rejects Shamima Begum’s appeal against the deprivation of her British citizenship

Family immigration (26:05)

Statement of changes HC 556: Home Office shuts Ukraine Family Scheme without notice (and details of the webinar mentioned are here: https://freemovement.org.uk/product/webinar-immigration-options-for-ukrainian-nationals-and-their-family-members/)

How to apply for entry clearance for victims of transnational marriage abandonment

Changes to the Destitute Domestic Violence Concession

General (31:05)

What you need to know before buying a property in the United Kingdom

What are the UK’s inheritance tax rules?

Updated (32:20)

Applying for British citizenship by naturalisation

How to apply for leave to remain as a victim of domestic violence

What is the Immigration Health Surcharge and how much does it cost?