The suspension of Refugee Family Reunion explained
Families belong together – it’s one of the simplest truths there is, and one protected by international law. For refugees, being able to reunite with those they love most is often the first step toward healing, and rebuilding a life shattered by violence and upheaval.
Yet, in September, then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper suspended Refugee Family Reunion with almost no notice – the main safe route allowing children to reunite with their refugee parents in the UK.
What’s Refugee Family Reunion?
When war and persecution tear lives apart, families often get separated – sometimes in the chaos of fleeing, on dangerous migration routes, or because one parent has to leave first to find safety and prepare the way for others.
Refugee Family Reunion exists to bring them back together. It’s a vital safe route that allows people who already have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK to reunite with their loved ones – specifically partners and children under 18 – so they can rebuild their lives together and in safety. 92% of those granted a visa through this scheme are women and children. [1]
Hassan’s story
Hassan (name changed) was targeted by the Taliban because of his work with the Afghan Border Police. Staying in Afghanistan meant putting not just his own life, but also his wife and two young daughters in danger. He had no choice but to flee. He found safety in the UK, but the pain of separation was unbearable. Years passed, and despite several attempts to reunite, they were still torn apart. When his wife tragically died, it became even more urgent to bring his girls to safety.
We helped Hassan and his two daughters apply for family reunion, and they’re now finally rebuilding their lives together. But with this suspension, many little girls like Hassan’s daughters might not get the chance to reunite with their dads.
Why has the government suspended it?
One of the justifications used by this Government is that the refugee family reunion route is unfair and allows too many people into the UK, causing pressure on councils and local services.
But through our work helping dozens of refugee families reunite every year, we know that separation causes significant instability for refugees – often resulting in reliance on mental health support, temporary housing and limiting people’s ability to work. Instead, when children are safe and cared for by family, they can start to rebuild their lives, thrive in school and make friends in our communities. There is nothing unfair about this. In fact, over 150 local councillors have condemned the government’s suspension, calling for its urgent reversal. [2]
What does this mean for children and families?
Instead of the “easy route” this government suggests, Refugee Family Reunion is often a long, complex, and stressful process for families, requiring specialist legal support. In July 2023, The Independent reported that the backlog of family reunion cases had reached over 11,000, with most applicants waiting more than six months for a decision. [3] While efforts have been made to address the wider asylum backlog, long waiting times continue to cause heartbreak for many children and families left torn apart and in danger.
There are also significant gaps in family reunion policy that mean some families are left without any feasible option to safely reunite. This specifically impacts children outside the UK who are prevented from joining their only surviving relative, such as and aunts, uncles, grandparents and adult siblings already in the UK due to prohibitive requirements.
With this government’s suspension, even more children who have lived through unimaginable horrors will remain separated from their loved ones. Through our work, we know they often suffer from trauma, anxiety, or depression, and even experience self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Meanwhile, their loved ones live in constant agony knowing they are alone and afraid.
Crucially, shutting down safe routes won’t stop these children from trying to reach safety and family. It will only push them into smugglers’ hands, forcing them to risk their lives crossing the Channel in flimsy boats. Every day the suspension continues, more lives are at risk.
What happens now?
The Home Office says the suspension will last until spring 2026, when it plans to introduce new restrictions for Refugee Family Reunion, which could include new income and English language tests. These would be completely unrealistic for people fleeing war or persecution, who face significant barriers to employment and education.
But the suspension is part of a much bigger crackdown on family reunion. The government has already announced it wants to review how the right to family life – which is protected by the European Convention on Human Rights – is applied in UK courts. [4] This would have a devastating impact on many more families.
What can I do?
This isn’t inevitable; we have a critical window to reverse this decision. Nearly 1,500 people have already written to the Home Secretary to ask her to protect families’ right to be together. To help us defend this vital route, you can:
Join our Together Not Torn campaign: Email the Home Secretary now to oppose the suspension of refugee family reunion
Donate to power vital legal and social support to bring refugee families together.
[1] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/migrant-crisis-yvette-cooper-asylum-family-visas-reunion-b2817979.html
[2] https://www.localgov.co.uk/Councillors-condemn-suspension-of-refugee-family-reunion-scheme/63088
[3] http://independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/refugee-family-reunion-safe-route-backlog-b2369985.html
[4] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/14/migrants-echr-deportation-cooper-starmer-labour-europe/