Immigration Rights

A new pilot scheme between the UK and France came into force this week, that will have a significant impact on people arriving in the UK to seek asylum. Under this new agreement, known as the “one-in-one-out” deal, some people who cross the Channel in small boats will now be sent back to France, without […]

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming part of how governments manage immigration and asylum processes. In the UK, where the asylum system is facing record delays, AI is now being used in new ways to help process claims. According to the Home Office, trials of AI-assisted tools have shown potential for making decisions faster. But with […]

In a move that has ignited fierce debate across the political spectrum and within the business community, the UK government announced significant changes to the immigration system via the Immigration White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System. In this article, learn about Labour’s UK immigration reforms and their potential impact on migrants and employers. […]

The UK’s “hostile environment” immigration policy—now officially rebranded as the “compliant environment”—was designed to make life unliveable for undocumented migrants. By embedding immigration checks into everyday services like employment, housing, banking and healthcare, the policy shifts the burden of enforcement onto employers, landlords, and public bodies, creating a climate of suspicion and exclusion. More than […]

If you are working towards your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) UK immigration status, you may already know that time spent outside the UK—even for a holiday or a business trip—might affect your ILR eligibility. The qualifying period for ILR (often 5 years but sometimes 10, depending on your route) requires a certain amount of […]

For many long-term residents the choice between indefinite leave to remain (also known as ‘ILR’ or ‘settlement’) and British citizenship is crucial. At Seraphus, we understand the uncertainties of immigration statuses. This guide explains the differences, highlights the benefits and limitations of each, and offers practical information to help you make an informed decision about […]

The Labour government has introduced the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, claiming it will strengthen border security and dismantle criminal networks exploiting vulnerable migrants. At first glance, this might sound reasonable—but scratch beneath the surface, and it becomes clear that this bill continues the same harmful approach to migration that treats people as threats rather […]

The Home Office has announced on 17 January 2025, the new process under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to automatically convert eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status will begin before the end of the month. The plan to automate some pre-settled to settled status conversions was first announced in 2023. This new approach will remove the […]

The UK is transitioning to a fully digital immigration system, replacing physical immigration documents with an online record known as an eVisa. This change will affect millions of people, making it crucial to understand how to navigate the new system effectively. In this article we go through what this change means and what steps you can […]

In his previous articles, Seraphus director Christopher Desira has looked at the concept of migration, the dynamic between migrants, the international community and the state, as well as the shortcomings of these entities in protecting the latter. In this article, Christopher presents the legal concept of ‘jus cogens’ and begins to explore how appealing to […]

At Seraphus, we care about improving access to justice. We provide advice services and workshops to charitable organisations and participate in advocacy work to try to address the systemic problems in immigration law. We understand acutely what’s at stake when people cannot access good quality legal advice, and we recognise just how volatile and dangerous the […]

The term ‘legal aid desert’ refers to areas where there is a significant lack of legal aid services, leaving many individuals without access to the legal assistance they need. In the UK, this issue is particularly acute in asylum and immigration cases, where vulnerable individuals face substantial barriers to justice without adequate legal representation. This article explores […]

This Pride Month, June 2024, Seraphus reflects on the support available to LGBTQI+ refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK. June is recognised as LGBTQI+ Pride Month, a time dedicated to celebrating and commemorating the LGBTQI+ community. While many events claim to be inclusive, LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum often face barriers to participating in […]

In his previous articles, Seraphus director Christopher Desira has looked at the dynamic between the international community, migrants, and the shortcomings of the former in protecting the latter. In this article, Christopher turns his attention to the role of individual states, and how their existence under principles of Westphalian sovereignty leads to the antagonisation of […]