Immigration roundup: November 2024

Barry returns and joins Sonia to run you through November on Free Movement. It was statistics galore for Sonia who covered the latest immigration, asylum and trafficking figures. A surprise statement of changes contained bad news for Colombians and Ukrainians. Barry was a really big fan of Colin's review of the latest Paddington movie and enthusiastically endorsed Alex Piletska's suggestion that the referee requirement for citizenship applications is scrapped. There were also several cases covered, including a detailed explanation from Sonia of the implications of the latest challenge to the no recourse to public funds policy. Full details of all the posts we covered can be found below.

The 50 minute podcast follows the running order below:

General immigration (00:40)

Statistics for July to September 2024 show health and care worker and student numbers continuing to fall

Safe options for Ukrainians and Colombians coming to the UK shut down in latest statement of changes

Asylum (03:50)

Appeals lodged in the First-tier Tribunal up 53% and continued “significant increase” of asylum appeals expected

States cannot refuse asylum claims by LGBTQI+ people based on the ‘discretion test’ alone

Trafficking referrals and decisions at record high in latest statistics

Unlawfully withdrawn asylum claim results in quashing of trafficking reconsideration refusal

Regulation (14:10)

OISC adviser who worked beyond his authorisation loses appeal against cancellation of registration

Law Society reaccreditation exam: how to prepare and what to expect

EUSS (19:50)

Lack of appeal against rejection of late EUSS applications does not breach Withdrawal Agreement

Independent Monitoring Authority asks Home Office for clarity on border issues for those with pending EUSS applications

EEA national appellant in prison on 31 December 2020 deemed not to be exercising treaty rights

Nationality (28:00)

An immigration lawyer reviews Paddington in Peru: A very British bear

“But I don’t know any barristers” – the case for scrapping the referee requirement for citizenship applications

Work routes (34:00)

Court of Appeal dismisses challenge to employer penalty notice

Detention (37:10)

Inspection report concludes that Brook House is less safe than two years ago

Deportation (38:25)

Court of Appeal gives further guidance on assessing seriousness of an offence in deportation cases

Human rights (42:30)

High Court finds no lawful system in place for expediting change of conditions applications

Updates (47:30)

General grounds for refusal: understanding re-entry bans

A guide to right to work checks

How to apply for a skilled worker visa

Will I need Electronic Travel Authorisation to enter the UK?

Briefing: how to apply for a high potential individual visa

Can asylum seekers work while waiting for a decision on their case?