The Next Century Foundation has submitted a report on the United Kingdom’s response to migration to the United Nations General Assembly under the auspices of the current 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council. A copy of the report as submitted to the UN can be found on this link. This report was prepared by NCF Research Officer Ms Shristi Sharma. The full text of the report follows below:

Towards a Just and Comprehensive Migration Policy for the UK

In the often febrile debates regarding asylum and immigration; principles of fairness, compassion, realism and proportionality must be uppermost. Across Europe, these principles are being tested and governments recognise agreement for coordinated action must be a priority. We need assurances that the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is working closely with our European allies following their new Pact on Migration and Asylum. Furthermore, we must take whatever action is necessary for a fairer deal for families caught up in our asylum and migration system. For example, those who make it to France or the UK, even by irregular routes, with verifiable family connections here should be differentiated, considered for temporary visas, and become the responsibility of their UK relatives while their cases are considered. A particular priority should be given to the processing of the cases of some uniquely challenged refugees, for instance, children coming from war zones.

In the pursuit of a more effective and compassionate migration strategy, it is essential to put forth policy recommendations that not only confront the challenges at hand but also align with the core values of humanity and fairness.

1. FAMILY REUNIFICATION: A “fast track” approach for individuals with family ties in the UK who arrived in the French Republic through irregular routes is a viable option. It should be adopted.
2. RIGHT TO WORK: There may or may not be a limited political appetite for concessions regarding paid employment for asylum seekers. However, this issue remains crucial. Asylum seekers need not and should not be a burden on the UK taxpayer. They can and should be allowed to work if they agree to cover their accommodation costs whilst their cases are determined. The present policy is not fit for purpose and is blatantly ridiculous. This could and should go hand in hand with a clampdown on illegal employment in the hidden economy. The UK is regarded as a far better place to be stateless than in other European nations, in part because of the comparative ease with which illegal jobs for cash can be found here, particularly in the hotel, restaurant, leisure, and agricultural sectors.
3. BACKLOG: Addressing backlog issues is imperative through streamlined processes and increased staffing, showcasing an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of asylum seekers. Because of the emotive nature of the small boat crossings of the English Channel, these cases should be prioritized for immediate determination and time-limited.
4. MINORS: A compassionate approach towards children under 16 who arrive in the UK, affording them an automatic right to asylum, is not just morally justified but also aligns with our duty to protect the most vulnerable. The challenge of age verification for young asylum seekers is considerable, given the absence of a definitive test. The potential use of intrusive methods such as DNA or genetic screening raises ethical concerns, necessitating informed consent from the individuals involved. Nonetheless, those genuinely under the age of 16 will undoubtedly readily consent to any procedure that will verify their age and should as a consequence be granted automatic asylum.
5. WAR ZONES: The need for fast-tracking processing for migrants from crisis-stricken nations is a pressing necessity, offering prompt relief to those facing imminent danger. The term “crisis-stricken” demands clarification. Seeking basic clarity on the government’s stance becomes imperative, especially considering recent events in Ukraine and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
6. STUDENT’S FAMILIES: Considering recent adjustments by His Majesty’s Government to the pay threshold for overseas family members joining UK residents prompts us to question whether similar flexibility (and constraint) could be extended to the right of family members to accompany overseas students, warranting a review of this policy.
7. COLLABORATION: We seek assurances that the UK government is closely collaborating with European allies following their new Pact on Migration and Asylum. Furthermore, we advocate necessary actions to secure a fairer deal for families caught up in our asylum and migration system. For instance, individuals with verifiable family connections in the UK, even if they arrived through irregular routes in France, should be considered for temporary visas and become the responsibility of their UK relatives during the consideration of their cases.
8. EQUITABLE RESPONSIBILITY: The prospect of achieving a pan-European agreement for the equitable distribution of asylum seekers across 28 countries is undeniably ambitious. Therefore, it is prudent to inquire about the UK government’s commitment to the European Commission’s Dublin Regulation (a Regulation of the European Union that determines which EU member state is responsible for the examination of an asylum application), underscoring the importance of shared responsibility among Member States.
9. HONESTY: It is essential to approach with a critical lens the claim that boat arrivals are decreasing, aligning with government statements. Scrutinizing and questioning the validity of such assertions is paramount for a thorough understanding of the situation.

Featured image by Dee from Pixabay