The proposed reforms, announced by Shabana Mahmood in the House of Commons this week, include:
- Reducing the initial period of refugee protection from five years to around 30 months.
- Extending the time before refugees can apply for permanent settlement to 20 years.
- Ending the automatic right to family reunion for those granted asylum.
- Removing the guaranteed right to housing and weekly financial support for asylum seekers.
Responding to the announcement yesterday, JRS UK Director David Ryall said:
“Today’s announcement by the Home Secretary marks an unprecedented and damaging departure from the UK’s long tradition of offering people sanctuary and the chance to rebuild their lives.
These policies will inflict profound harm - not only on those accompanied by the Jesuit Refugee Service UK, but on all who seek safety here.
Pope Leo calls us to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate refugees. The Government’s decision does the opposite: it curtails welcome, undermines protection, and blocks integration. In so doing, it diminishes our common humanity and makes our society poorer.
As we approach Christmas and recall the Holy Family’s own flight as refugees, we reaffirm our commitment to stand alongside others in opposing these policies and working for an asylum system that is humane, just, and rooted in solidarity with women, men, and children forced to flee their homes.”
The Home Secretary has defended the reforms as necessary to “restore order and control” to the UK’s borders. However, refugee organisations including JRS UK have warned that the proposals risk making protection precarious and penalising those who have fled violence and persecution.
JRS UK remains committed to advocating for an asylum system that upholds dignity, protects vulnerable people, and helps them rebuild their lives safely. There are many ways to their work, from donating to volunteering. You can find out more here.
Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
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