The Government's immigration White Paper will not stop dangerous journeys
On May 12th, the Government unveiled its new immigration White Paper – a 90-page plan for the biggest overhaul of the UK’s immigration system in over a decade. The proposals will affect everyone from students and workers to asylum seekers and separated families.
Ministers claim the plans will bring fairness and control, but the reality is they double down on harmful rhetoric, framing migration as a problem to be managed – ignoring the vital role it plays in our communities. This marks a stark hardening of both policy and tone at the highest levels of government and, if anything, it will make dangerous boat journeys even more likely.
In this blog, we break down what’s in the White Paper, why it matters, and how it risks making an already broken system even worse – especially for refugee families and children trying to rebuild their lives in safety.
Why now?
The Government says these changes are about:
· Cutting immigration and ‘regaining control’
· Simplifying family reunion, which they claim has become too reliant on court decisions
· Supporting integration and rebuilding public confidence in the system
But it’s hard to separate these proposals from the wider political context. With the far-right gaining ground in the polls, the Government appears to be ramping up tough border rhetoric in response – effectively bowing to populist politics and divisive rhetoric.
What’s in the White Paper?
The White Paper covers a wide range of proposals, but here are the key threats for refugee families:
1. New barriers for refugee family reunion
The Government plans could mean tough new conditions – including English language and financial requirements – for refugee families applying to reunite under UK rules.
Refugee family reunion is one of the few safe routes available to refugees. But right now, people fleeing war and persecution have to wait months or even years before they can hold their loved ones again. In 2023, 1,800 families had waited over a year for a decision. If anything, the Government should be helping these families reunite, instead of creating new burdensome rules.
Crucially, the UK has one of the harshest family reunion systems in Europe. This forces many to take desperate, dangerous journeys to reach family. We fear the proposals will increase Channel crossings even further, as family links are often a key driver of these journeys.
2. Attempts to limit the use of human rights law in family reunion cases
The Government paper goes on to propose changes to the law which could limit how the right to family and private life – protected under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act – can be used in family reunion cases.
These changes could make it even harder for families to reunite, weakening a right that protects us all. For many of the unaccompanied children we support, Article 8 is the only route left to join loved ones – because the UK’s strict immigration rules already shut the door on them.
If these plans go ahead, countless children could be left with no safe way to reunite with family, forcing them into dangerous situations where they face risks of trafficking, exploitation, or boarding overcrowded boats out of desperation.
3. Making it harder for migrants and refugees to permanently settle in the UK
The Government also plans to double the time people must wait to apply for permanent settlement or citizenship from 5 to 10 years.
We don’t yet know if refugees will be included in this change, but we will be advocating to show the huge impact this would have.
Coming straight after the recent ban on most refugees claiming citizenship, this will lock people into years of uncertainty, instability, and costly visa renewals. Far from supporting integration, this policy will leave many in limbo, unable to fully rebuild their lives.
What now?
These changes won’t happen overnight. Some require new laws; others will be implemented gradually. But the direction of travel is clear, and it’s deeply worrying.
This is a deliberate attempt to echo far-right narratives, which risks stoking the same divisions that fuelled last summer’s violent, racist riots. And despite the Government’s stated aims, these proposals will not only make an already stringent system even harsher and more chaotic – it will also make dangerous journeys more likely.
We’re pushing back against these harmful proposals. You can help by adding your name to our petition or donating today to support our legal work with families who will be directly impacted.