"Jasmine is back with Mala Savjani, partner at Wilsons Solicitors, for August’s round up of immigration law news. Mala talks through the latest quarterly statistics which show immigration, asylum and citizenship numbers all falling, and why the Supreme Court found an illegal…" — Free Movement

Immigration roundup podcast: August 2026 - Free Movement

If you listen to podcasts on your mobile phone, you can subscribe for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Using a mobile device and subscribing

freemovement.org.uk

Our reader survey is currently live and we’d love to hear from you. freemovement.org.uk/reader-surve...

The Free Movement reader survey 2026: how are we doing? - Free Movement

This week, we are running our sixth reader survey since we started surveying in 2013. We are very interested in what you think of Free Movement, and what you

freemovement.org.uk

New: The Free Movement reader survey 2026: how are we doing? — by Jasmine Quiller-Doust

The Free Movement reader survey 2026: how are we doing? - Free Movement

This week, we are running our sixth reader survey since we started surveying in 2013. We are very interested in what you think of Free Movement, and what you

freemovement.org.uk

New: Statement of changes HC 584: sponsorship rules eased for modern slavery victims and return of Erasmus+ — by Jasmine Quiller-Doust

Statement of changes HC 584: sponsorship rules eased for modern slavery victims and return of Erasmus+ - Free Movement

The latest statement of changes stop skilled worker visa holders who are recognised victims of modern slavery from being tied to their sponsors.

freemovement.org.uk

I've updated the Free Movement immigration rules browser with the new Statement of Changes, so you can see what the rules will look like once the commencements take effect: rules.freemovement.org.uk

ICYMI: Jasmine Quiller-Doust spoke to Zeena Luchowa of the Law Society's Immigration Law Committee about how the profession is engaging with current policy debates, including the proposed Independent Immigration Appeals Authority and wider reforms in our latest members podcast.

Members podcast: How does the Law Society and its Immigration Law Committee contribute to the policy debate? With Zeena Luchowa - Free Movement

In this episode, Jasmine speaks to Zeena Luchowa, partner at Laura Devine Immigration and chair of the Law Society’s Immigration Law Committee, about the

freemovement.org.uk

"The Home Office has published the latest quarterly immigration statistics, covering the year ending June 2026. It’s the same downward trends we’ve been seeing for the last year: Channel crossings and asylum claims are down, as are family and work visa grants, and even…" — Free Movement

Latest immigration statistics: immigration, asylum and citizenship numbers all fall - Free Movement

The Home Office has published the latest quarterly immigration statistics, covering the year ending June 2026. It’s the same downward trends we've been seeing

freemovement.org.uk

New: Court provides reminder of the limits of late evidence in appeals and section 120 notices — by Parvez Anwar Pantho

Court provides reminder of the limits of late evidence in appeals and section 120 notices - Free Movement

The Court of Appeal has reaffirmed that a tribunal cannot consider evidence after an application has been decided, unless the Home Office agrees.

freemovement.org.uk

New: Secret Home Office policy capping trafficking leave at 12 months declared unlawful — by Ralitsa Peykova

Secret Home Office policy capping trafficking leave at 12 months declared unlawful - Free Movement

The Upper Tribunal has ruled that the Home Office unlawfully operated a secret, unpublished practice of limiting many recognised victims of trafficking to 12

freemovement.org.uk

"Since June 2022, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has prosecuted over a thousand people seeking asylum in the UK for the offence of ‘illegal arrival’, which was introduced by the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. This article provides a short update of the position as of July…" — Free Movement

Over 1,000 people seeking sanctuary convicted of illegal arrival in the UK - Free Movement

Since June 2022, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has prosecuted over a thousand people seeking asylum in the UK for the offence of ‘illegal arrival’,

freemovement.org.uk

📑📑📑 Vital report by @refugeecouncil.bsky.social shows that since the government suspended family reunion, 16,000 refugees have been separated from their families. Beyond these numbers are human beings who suffer every time a cruel immigration law is introduced. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

More than 16,000 refugees unable to reunite with families in UK, says Refugee Council

Suspension of family reunion route has left many stuck in conflict zones or using people smugglers to reach safety

theguardian.com

My write up of the damning inspection report on asylum case work at the Home Office. freemovement.org.uk/borders-insp...

We're hosting a webinar on using AI safely, lawfully and effectively in immigration practice. We'll cover what generative AI actually is, where it goes wrong and how practitioners can use it responsibly in their work. Register now to join us 🤖

Webinar: Using AI safely, lawfully and effectively in immigration practice - Free Movement

In this practical training webinar, we will talk through the requirements for making late applications and provide insight on latest Home Office practice.

freemovement.org.uk

The latest episode is out! Listen here…

Immigration Bot@immigrationbot.bsky.social · 4mo ago

"This month, Jasmine is joined by Isaac Abraham, a solicitor at the Islington Law Centre. They discuss the King’s speech and the latest immigration statistics, which show a fall in net migration and asylum claims, but a steadily growing appeals backlog. The number of sponsor…" — Free Movement

New from Free Movement: Immigration roundup podcast: March 2026 | Jasmine Quiller-Doust

Immigration roundup podcast: March 2026 - Free Movement

If you listen to podcasts on your mobile phone, you can subscribe for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Using a mobile device and subscribing

freemovement.org.uk

Here’s the post holiday weekend newsletter. Fuelled by Easter eggs

Free Movement@freemovement.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Latest post from us: Free Movement Weekly Immigration Newsletter #114 | Jasmine Quiller-Doust

Entirely pointless poll: I’d suggest that not only do most of those polled have no grasp of the competing issues, almost none (0) of them will have been demanding a change in policy until it was suggested to them that there was a problem. You might just as well base policy on drawing lots

Home Office plan to make it harder for migrants to settle in UK is backed by voters

The Home Secretary plans to extend the default period to qualify for indefinite leave to remain in the UK from five to 10 years

inews.co.uk

I spoke to a range of migrant people, experts, campaigners and MPs to learn how the proposed changes to immigration rules - and the recent change to asylum rules - would impact their lives. www.opendemocracy.net/en/labour-im...

How UK government’s migration policy will shatter lives

Behind the headlines and rhetoric, what do Labour’s immigration plans mean for those affected?

opendemocracy.net

"From 2 March 2026 refugee status in the UK became temporary rather than permanent. This dramatic change is the Home Secretary’s attempt to deter asylum seekers. Denmark adopted a similar policy in 2015 and has seen a fall in applications. It worked for them so why shouldn’t it…" — Free Movement

Why the latest attempt to deter asylum seekers won't work - Free Movement

From 2 March 2026 refugee status in the UK became temporary rather than permanent. This dramatic change is the Home Secretary’s attempt to deter asylum

freemovement.org.uk

Here we are: my first episode hosting the podcast and very sadly @barryoleary.bsky.social’s last!

Free Movement@freemovement.bsky.social · 7mo ago

New from Free Movement: Immigration roundup podcast: February 2026 | Jasmine Quiller-Doust

Hi! Immigration lawyer here! Mahmood's view of the Refugee Convention as providing temporary protection just isn’t correct & AFAIK isn’t one anyone has ever adopted. On the contrary, the Convention is clearly predicated on a long-term need for protection. 1/🧵

Sunder Katwala (sundersays)@sundersays.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Mahmood says that Labour has made refugee protection temporary, because "the intention of the 1951 convention" is that refugee protection should be a "shelter from the storm" and "safe haven" until it is safe to go home.

Major changes to asylum system set to come into force www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Shabana Mahmood to announce asylum system changes to take effect

From Monday, asylum seekers granted refugee status in the UK will be offered only temporary protection.

bbc.co.uk

How many UK migrants get settlement, also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain? We answer that question, and more, in our updated settlement briefing.

UPE extended by 24 months (max 3.5 years). Window to apply extended from a month to 90 days. Same rights as before. But still no route to settlement. Plus a final few ominous statements about helping support people with rebuilding their lives. questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...

Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.

questions-statements.parliament.uk

Anti-migrant politicians love to claim they want "integration" - then do things like this. Helping newcomers learn English benefits us all. It helps people find work, make friends, become part of communities. You'd only stop it if you don't want that. There's only one reason to cut ESOL - racism.

Yet more evidence of not only how inhumane Labour's "one in one out" policy is, but also how counterproductive. It is never a good start when you have to undermine modern slavery protections and threaten to remove basic human rights to implement a policy. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

‘One in, one out’: what has happened to asylum seekers forced to return to France?

In rare interviews, some of those sent back across the Channel after arriving in the UK on small boats describe what happened next – and the risks of a system organised to get rid of them

theguardian.com

Given the increases in Home Office enforcement, the regulatory squeeze on Skilled Workers and the general market, this webinar will explore key legal and practical issues impacting this big and (increasingly) complex group.

Free Movement@freemovement.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Our webinar on 25 February will focus on how to advise sponsored workers through routine and complex circumstances, from curtailment and changing jobs to visa costs and compliance concerns. Book now to take advantage of our early bird discount! freemovement.org.uk/product/webi...

Good to see some Labour MPs showing a backbone, but the problems with these proposals on settlement aren't limited to being applied retrospectively: they also favour the well-off, discriminate vs disabled people, women & people with caring responsibilities and are probably unworkable

300,000 children face 10-year wait for settled status under UK plans, says IPPR

Thinktank analysis says proposed ‘earned settlement’ changes could trap families in prolonged insecurity

theguardian.com

First post from me for a while on my occasional Substack, about Labour's earned settlement proposals and the damage they will do. open.substack.com/pub/wewanted...

This week's #ECREPressReview: 🔗http://eepurl.com/jytIC-/