Migrant Children's Project Newsletter
July 2018
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If you have used our guidance and resources recently, and want to inform our work for the coming year, please take two minutes to complete our short survey here. Separated migrant children to be granted legal aid Following a tireless campaign run by NGOs, this month the Ministry of Justice announced that immigration matters for unaccompanied and separated children in care will be brought back into the scope of legal aid. In CCLC’s report, Rights without remedies, it was estimated that there are several thousand children in local authority care with an immigration issue previously out of scope for legal aid. MCP advised 234 of these children, and this advice casework formed the basis of a witness statement to a judicial review (brought by Islington Law Centre and The Children’s Society) of the cuts to legal aid for this group.
CCLC welcomes the government recognition of the impact on children’s rights of the legal aid changes, and hopes that it undertakes a campaign to inform local authority front-line staff of the forthcoming changes, so there is no delay for children in need of legal help. For more information on migrant children in care with immigration issues, see our fact sheet here.
For information on leaving care support for migrant children and young people see our new fact sheet here.
Citizenship fees campaign
Campaigners are challenging the Home Office over the fees it charges for registering children as British citizens. Currently, thousands of children and young people who have lived in the UK their whole lives and are entitled to British citizenship are being charged £1,012 and this continues to increase each year.Charities and legal organisations have accused the Home Office of profiteering from placing these charges on migrant families, many of whom are destitute.
For more information on how migrant children, young people and families are affected by these issues, see our briefing on fees here.
Want to get involved in the campaign? Write to your MP here.
CCLC solicitor Sophie Freeman is Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year We have some very exciting news this month! CCLC’s senior immigration and asylum solicitor, Sophie Freeman, has been named Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year in the social and welfare law category. Sophie has worked at CCLC for over six years, and has particular expertise working with and representing young people with mental health problems, victims of trafficking and young people at risk of persecution as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Sophie is an extraordinary solicitor who goes above and beyond for the children she works with, and CCLC is very proud of her and our whole staff team. Congrats!
New GLA guidance for young Londoners on securing rights to citizenship and residence
On 3 July 2018, the Greater London Assembly published new guidance aimed at helping young Londoners to secure their citizenship or immigration status. Launched by the Deputy Mayor for Citizenship and Integration, the new guidance contains information about legal rights of residence, how to access help, advice and representation, citizenship, mental health support and access to education. Read the GLA guidance in full here.
If you have queries about these or other issues, please contact our advice line at [email protected].
We would like to remind you that you can read our new privacy information here: https://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/privacy-policy/. If you have any questions or concerns about your data, you can contact us on [email protected].
Our upcoming training courses in 2018 Our courses can now be booked online - just visit our Eventbrite page! An introduction to the rights of children and young people in the immigration system
Coram Campus, London Thursday, 11 October 2018, 2pm - 5pm Access to education for migrant children
Coram Campus, London Monday, 17 September 2018, 2pm - 5pm The rights and entitlements of young refugees and migrants Coram Campus, London Thursday, 4 October 2018, 10am - 4:30pm Wednesday, 21 November 2018, 10am - 4:30pm For more information and to book, please see our eventbrite page. To commission in-house training for your organisation, please see our website. New reports and guidance
Distress signals: Unaccompanied young people's struggle for mental health care
The Children's Society, June 2018
The Windrush Generation
Home Affairs Committee, July 2018
Guidance for young Londoners on securing rights to citizenship and residence
Greater London Authority, July 2018
Latest news
Part of the British Nationality Act 1981 found incompatible with human rights law
Free Movement, 30 July 2018
This Baby Was Born Stateless Because Of "Avoidable" Home Office Delays
Buzzfeed, 28 July 2018
Harrow Council criticises child citizenship costs
Harrow Times, 23 July 2018
Refugee Campaigners Launch Appeal Against Government Over Its 'Shambolic' Dubs Scheme
Huffington Post, 23 July 2018
Ebola heroes to protest over migrants being denied NHS healthcare
The Guardian, 23 July 2018
Brexit: EU citizens in UK at risk of 'devastating consequences' on housing and jobs, MPs warn
The Independent, 23 July 2018
Lack of legal aid puts asylum seekers' lives at risk, charity warns
The Guardian, 19 July 2018
Legal aid cuts have seen human rights become 'unaffordable' for many, says committee
Politics Home, 19 July 2018
Widowed father ordered to leave UK against advice of Home Office's own lawyers
The Guardian, 16 July 2018
UK government pauses hostile immigration policies after Windrush
The Guardian, 11 July 2018
Man given £40k after being kept from four-year-old daughter
BBC, 11 July 2018
England: Poems from a School, edited by Kate Clanchy – review
The Observer, 10 July 2018
'It means everything': the university opening its doors to asylum seekers
The Guardian, 10 July 2018
What do the World Cup semi-finalists all have in common? Immigration
The Guardian, 9 July 2018
Home Office separating scores of children from parents as part of immigration detention regime
The Independent, 4 July 2018
Home Office makes almost £100 million from children registering as British citizens
Free Movement, 4 July 2018
Home Office faces legal challenge over UK child citizenship fees
The Guardian, 3 July 2018
Home Office admits forcing immigrants to take DNA tests
Financial Times, 3 July 2018
Windrush scandal: Home Office immigration approach 'needs reform'
BBC, 3 July 2018
Home Office needs major reform to avoid Windrush scandal repeat
Parliament.uk, 3 July 2018
Roma communities fear deportation in post-Brexit Britain
The Guardian, 2 July 2018
Home Office accused of using children of immigrants as a ‘cash cow’ with extortionate citizenship fees
The Independent, 1 July 2018 Let us know what you think! Do you use our website, publications or advice line? Your thoughts and feedback help us ensure that we're providing the right information and support. Please take two minutes to complete our short survey. |
