Migrant Children's Project Newsletter
June 2017

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Channel 4 dispatches features new CCLC report on undocumented children

On Monday night Channel 4 Dispatches shone a spotlight on the trials of children and young people who are undocumented or are trying to register as British citizens. The programme features the work of the Project for the Registration of Children as British Citizens and Camden Law Centre, and new data and findings from CCLC's new report 'This is my home: securing permanent status for long-term resident children and young people', and is available to watch on catch-up until 26 July. 'This is my home' outlines the barriers to permanence faced by long-resident children and young people, makes recommendations for concrete steps that could be taken by government today to improve their lives, and makes the case for allowing them to integrate fully into their communities and this country.

The report can be read alongside the companion paper 'Securing permanent status: existing legal routes for children and young people without leave to remain in the UK', which lays out the legal routes to status available to undocumented children and young people. We hope this is a useful and easy-to-use guide to different applications and statuses for those who need to understand the legal jargon so that they can campaign for change!

Brexit: government plans fail to address children's needs and rights

The government has published its plans for ‘Safeguarding the Position of EU Citizens Living in the UK and UK Nationals Living in the EU‘. However, this paper is just the government's opening position, and negotiations with the EU will now begin. CCLC welcomes guarantees that individuals with five years’ continuous residence will be granted ‘settled status’, changes to the requirements for comprehensive sickness insurance, and that the government is proposing new modernised procedures that are ‘as smooth and simple as possible’. However, the government has failed to address the specific needs and rights of children. Read the CCLC Brexit briefing on securing children's rights here - if you want to take further action, why not send it on to your MP?

London mayor's forum for the voices of undocumented children

City Hall is holding a Young Londoners Forum to hear from young people about their experiences of growing up in London without secure immigration status or citizenship. The forum will take place from 16:45 to 20:30 on Tuesday, 11 July in Committee Room 5, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA. If you know any young people with experiences of the immigration system who may like to attend and have their voices heard, please pass on this information - interested young people can contact Dami Makinde at [email protected] / 07432 532755.
This forum is part of the Mayor’s new Citizenship and Integration Initiative.

We've got mountains to climb...

This could be the final newsletter from this MCP staff member, as members of the Migrant Children's Project team prepare to scale the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales in under 24 hours this weekend in what looks to be torrential rain. We're doing this to raise vital funds for the Project 17 destitution fund. We are so close to our target of £2,000 - could you help us get the rest of the way? Sponsor us here - thank you.

If you have queries about these or other issues, please contact our advice line on 0207 636 8505 or email [email protected].

Our upcoming training courses

Our courses can now be booked online - just visit our Eventbrite page!

The registration of children as British citizens

Coram Campus, London, £25 + VAT

Wednesday 8 November, 4pm - 6:30pm

An introduction to the rights of children and young people in the immigration system

Coram Campus, London, FREE

Friday 8 September, 2pm - 5:30pm
Wednesday 22 November, 2-5:30pm

Supporting EU national children in care

Coram Campus, London, £35 + VAT

Wednesday 20 September, 2pm - 5:30pm

Access to education for migrant children

Coram Campus, London, FREE

Thursday 13 July, 2pm - 5:30pm
Tuesday 3 October, 2pm - 5:30pm

The rights and entitlements of young refugees and migrants

Coram Campus, London, £70 + VAT

Tuesday 19 September, 10am - 4:30pm

Supporting undocumented and NRPF families

Coram Campus, London, £70 + VAT

Tuesday 10 October, 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

Securing permanent status: existing legal routes for children and young people without leave to remain in the UK
Coram Children's Legal Centre, June 2017

LASPO 4 years on: Law Society review
Law Society, June 2017

‘This is my home’: Securing permanent status for long-term resident children and young people in the UK
Coram Children's Legal Centre, June 2017

The impact of Brexit on children: Key policy recommendations for the new government
The Children's Society, Children England, CCLC, CRAE, ECPAT UK, National Children's Bureau and NSPCC, June 2016

Latest news

Concerns raised over welfare of undocumented children
Children and Young People Now, 29 June 2017

'Access Denied': Law Society's 25-point plan to salvage civil justice
Legal Gazette, 29 June 2017

Immigration detainees bring legal challenge against £1 an hour 'slave' wages
The Guardian, 28 June 2017

Legal advice plight of undocumented children
Legal Gazette, 26 June 2017

Citizens' rights: EU chief Brexit negotiator calls for more clarity from UK
The Guardian, 26 June 2017

Theresa May makes 'fair and serious' offer on EU citizens rights in UK
The Guardian, 23 June 2017

Child refugees: UK puts lives at risk by leaving children in limbo
Newsweek, 17 June 2017

UK plans ‘very generous’ offer to 3m EU citizens
Financial Times, 14 June 2017

'Deport first, appeal later' policy ruled unlawful
BBC News, 14 June 2017

Destitute immigrants in UK are threatened with having children removed
The Guardian, 13 June 2017

Theresa May’s tough line on immigration punishes British children
OpenDemocracy, 3 June 2017

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