UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK government faces backlash as families are forced to take dangerous measures to reunite with their children, following stricter visa regulations.
As reported by The Independent, in response to severe changes in the Homes for Ukraine scheme, Ukrainian families are turning to unauthorized paths and unreliable advisers to bring their children to Britain.
The British government, which promised strong support for Ukrainians, has been warned repeatedly since taking office that changes to the sponsorship program last February are blocking children from reuniting with their families in the UK.
According to concerns raised by a charity supporting Ukrainians with the home secretary, families are facing unfortunate situations where they are using irregular routes to bring their children to the UK, a move that leaves them at risk of exploitation by smugglers and criminals.
Why is a Ukrainian mother and Labour leader urging action on family reunification?
A Ukrainian mother told the press that she had no option but to bring her kids to Britain through illegal means after their grandparent caregiver fell ill. She urged the government to adjust its policies to enable families to reunite safely.
Labour peer Lord Alf Dubs, who came to Britain as a six-year-old fleeing the Nazis, backed the Ukrainian mother’s appeal, stating, “The basic right should surely be if you have got children somewhere they should be able to join their parents.“
Mr. Dubs, who had earlier criticized the current situation as “betraying our commitment to Ukrainians,” stated that it was unjust for families to be in such a position, adding, “I don’t believe this is what the government wants to happen.”
Is the UK government addressing Ukrainian family sponsorship issues?
When asked about the recent warning, the Home Office acknowledged the problems caused by the February rule amendments, stating steps were being taken to tackle the ongoing situation promptly.
A spokesperson from the Home office stated,
“We are aware of the issues raised in this letter regarding children, following a change made to the Ukraine schemes in February 2024. We are taking urgent action to resolve them at the earliest possible opportunity, and further details will be shared in due course.”
What did the immigration support charity tell Yvette Cooper in a letter regarding Ukrainian children?
Immigration support charity Settled, which has supported over 100 Ukrainian child cases since the changes to immigration regulations in February 2024, wrote in a letter to Yvette Cooper, stating, “Parents are resorting to ever more desperate measures to bring their children to the UK.”
Kate Smart, the chief executive of Settled, alongside Naqeeb Saqib, a senior immigration adviser wrote, “We are increasingly contacted by desperate individuals who have paid rogue advisors for advice that results in the affected entering the UK via borderless entry through the Republic of Ireland.”
What requests are Settled receiving from Ukrainian families seeking help?
According to Yuliia Ismail, Ukraine schemes adviser at Settled, the charity has been receiving frequent requests for assistance from parents to bring their kids to Britain via illegal methods, with the number of such cases increasing.
Due to the growing number of appeals, they have written a letter to the Home Secretary to take immediate steps to address this situation.
How many Ukrainians are residing in Britain as of June 2024?
The Migration Observatory revealed that nearly 217,000 Ukrainian individuals were living in the UK as of June 30, 2024. This number is based on data combining the pre-war Ukrainian population and the number of arrivals under the special visa schemes during the war.
It was also reported that around 210,000 Ukrainian arrived in the UK under the Ukraine Family and Sponsorship Schemes, from a total of 342,000 applications. The official data shows that by 31 December 2023, only 108,000 remained long-term in the UK, with many leaving within a year.
What changes has the UK made to Ukrainian immigration rules?
In February 2024, the UK government introduced significant changes to its immigration policies for Ukrainian nationals:
- The Ukraine Family Scheme closed on February 19, 2024.
- Stricter sponsor rules: Only British citizens or permanent residents can sponsor under Homes for Ukraine.
- Shorter visas: Homes for Ukraine visas now valid for 18 months (previously three years).
- New extension scheme: Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) opens February 4, 2025.