Asylum Update 3rd March 2010
3 March 2010
Research
Welfare, Asylum and the Politics of Judgment by Lydia Morris in the Journal of Social Policy Vol 39 Part 1.
The Home Office has released Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary, United Kingdom - Fourth Quarter 2009 and supplementary excel tables Both documents incorporate quarterly asylum statistics.
Related:
- UKBA consultation on the feasibility of publishing monthly statistics.
- Watch discussion at Home Affairs Select Committee Meeting.
- The Guardian on asylum figures and The Times on citizenship data.
- Resource: 10 things to remember about refugee statistics from Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Migration Partnership
The Independent Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency has published Asylum - getting the balance right? examining UK Borders Agency (UKBA) targets in July – November 2009. See also press release , UKBA response and Refugee Council response.
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons has published a Report on an unannounced escort inspection: Detainees under escort at Gatwick North and South short-term holding facilities
The Home Office has released its response to the Children's Commissioner report on Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre.
A comparative study of the representations of “suspect” communities in multi-ethnic Britain and of their impact on Irish communities and Muslim communities – mapping newspaper content – a new working paper from the Institute for the Study of European Transformations.
Europe
The European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Internal Policies has published a study on ‘What system of burden-sharing between Member States for the reception of asylum seekers?’
Criminalisation of migration in Europe: human rights implications is a new issue paper published by the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights.
The European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex) has published its programme of work 2010 and a feasibility study on dividing its work areas. See also European Commission proposal and impact assessment to legally modify Frontex’s remit.
Law and policy
The Home Office has published an impact assessment advising opting out of the European Commission’s proposal to replace the existing Asylum Procedure Directive. See Guardian coverage and ECRE/ UNHCR briefing
In the light of Iraq's reluctance to receive refused asylum seekers, the High Court has ruled that a Kurdish man should be released after 21 months' immigration detention because there is no likelihood of his being returned to Iraq.
The High Court has also ruled that notice should be given when children are being removed. See Refugee and Migrant Justice press release and Children & Young People Now
Migration and health consultations:
- Department of Health: Review of access to the NHS by foreign nationals Closing date: 30 June 2010.
- UK Border Agency: refusing entry or stay to NHS debtors Closing date: 28 May 2010.
UKBA has published Protecting our border, protecting the public – a five year strategy aimed at “tackling border and immigration crime”. A summary of key immigration offences includes a number relating to asylum claims. See also ministerial statement to Parliament.
In response to parliamentary questions the government has disclosed that of 9,275 unsuccessful removals of failed asylum seekers from 1 April 2008 to 30 November 2009, 4,303 have since been removed from the UK.
A European charter on migrant integration has been signed by European mayors in London at the fourth EUROCITIES Integrating Cities conference, hosted by the Mayor of London and the European Commission.
Events
Tuesday 16th March: Election 2010: where next for immigration policy? A lecture in London by Phil Woolas MP, Minister of State for Borders and Immigration, organized by the Smith Institute and Policy Review magazine. Email to book by 9 March.
Tuesday 23 March: London: Capita’s 2nd annual Policing the Borders Conference brings together speakers from Frontex, the Identity and Passport Service and the Police.
See also Border Agency puts faith in e-borders
Thursday 25 March: ‘From research objects to active subjects: Reflections on the politics of researching asylum’ with Dr Vicki Squire, Open University. 4pm, Social Sciences Building, City University, London. Part of the ICAR seminar series: details on website shortly or contact