Immigration news

In yet another move to tighten UK immigration rules, Home Secretary Priti Patel is considering scrapping visa concessions for citizens of 26 European countries. Under the current UK immigration system, citizens from countries who have signed the European Social Charter are entitled to an automatic £55 reduction on UK work visa fees.

 

Humans rights groups are urging the Biden administration and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to end the digital surveillance of immigrants. According to a new report, ICE monitors nearly 100,000 migrants using ‘questionable tactics’ that do more harm than good and prevent progress in enabling immigrants to thrive in their communities.

 

Following a further legal challenge against the UK government’s controversial ‘immigration exemption’ from the Data Protection Act 2018, the Court of Appeal has ruled that the exemption was unlawful. Further hearings will now take place to determine what remedies must be put in place.

 

Two new studies claim that US immigration is beneficial for health care funding. Research released by bipartisan group New American Economy, found that immigrants contribute more to Medicare and private insurance than is spent on them. The two new reports analyzed immigrants and health care finances at a time when immigration remains a hot political issue.

 

Brexit-backing, multi-millionaire boss of Wetherspoons, Tim Martin, has urged Boris Johnson to introduce a ‘reasonably liberal UK immigration system’ to allow more immigrants from Europe to come to the UK to tackle a shortage of staff in the hospitality sector. Mr Martin has recommended a UK visa scheme exclusively for foreign workers from the continent.

 

UK immigration plans to evict asylum seekers from Home Office accommodation have been scrapped. The Home Office ‘U-turn’ means that around 4,000 people, who have been refused asylum in the UK, won’t face immediate eviction from their accommodation amid the coronavirus pandemic.