Asylum

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) recently released a compelling report highlighting the urgent need for a shift in how asylum accommodation is managed in the UK. With annual costs for housing and supporting asylum seekers in the UK now at a staggering £41,000 per person, up from £17,000 in 2019/20, the current system is unsustainable. […]

In this article, Seraphus staff member highlights the work being done to support people seeking asylum and migrants in local communities across the UK. With this, we want to emphasise the many ways in which local initiatives and organisations can make a difference in the hostile environment faced by displaced individuals and migrant communities. In […]

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 […]

The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 received royal assent on 25 April 2024, marking a dark moment in British legal history. This Act contradicts the Supreme Court’s judgment in the case of AAA, HTN, RM, AS, SAA, ASM v the SSHD [2023] EWCA Civ 745, asserting Rwanda as a safe country and […]

In this article, we delve into the urgent call for fair and compassionate immigration policies, particularly focusing on the need to establish safe routes for Palestinians in Gaza to reunite with their families in the UK. As the geopolitical instability and future, environmental changes persist, it gives rise to consider how this lack of pathways […]

In his first piece, Seraphus director Christopher Desira looked at the evolution of migration, and its ubiquitous nature across civilisation and history. He also considered the evolving rhetoric around migration, and the way in which migrants are often seen as a burden on the state. In this piece, Christopher delves further into the dynamic between […]

The United Kingdom, a racially and ethnically diverse nation, has long grappled with accusations of racism within its immigration system. Recent legislative developments have once again brought this issue to the forefront. In this article, we mark the week of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by delving into the evolving landscape of […]

In this piece, Seraphus director Christopher Desira takes a broad look at the concept of migration- how it relates to human nature, what drives it, and how it fits into an increasingly complex world. Christopher also highlights the problem with restrictive and reactionary policies that fail to prioritise humanity and safety above ideology. Overall, he […]

Running a half marathon has always been a life ambition of mine. Two years ago, I signed up for a race and sadly had to bow out due to a chronic injury scuppering my training plan. After countless physiotherapy sessions and a lot of strength training, the road to recovery has finally led me here. […]

Is housing asylum seekers on board the Bibby Stockholm an innovative strategy to reduce costs and maximise on space in asylum accommodation? Or does new asylum accommodation foster exclusion, isolation, and altogether fail individuals seeking protection in the UK? This article highlights the challenges faced by asylum seekers that have been placed in temporary accommodation […]

The UK Supreme Court, in the case of AAA, HTN, RM, AS, SAA, ASM v the SSHD [2023] EWCA Civ 745, reviewed the government’s policy to send certain asylum seekers to Rwanda. This UK Government policy, rooted in a bid to deter ‘illegal immigration’ and streamline asylum processes, faced legal challenges over its adherence, the […]

The judgement for the Rwanda case in the High Court has been published – the court held that the Government policy to send asylum claimants to Rwanda is generally lawful so long as they properly consider each individual’s circumstances and conclude that that is the right outcome. The Home Office did not properly consider each individual involved in this […]