Immigration roundup: April 2025

It was a relatively quiet April ahead of what looks to be a busy May. Sonia is joined by Andrew again this month. Sonia runs through the amendments made at committee stage of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration one and despaired over the lack of attention given to the case where the UK detained a Brazilian tourist for eight weeks. Andrew looks at Asylum Aid's successful statelessness challenge as well as a really interesting piece on discrimination against non-EEA nationals with pre-settled status. There were also lots of case updates, including on fee waivers in indefinite leave applications, successful and unsuccessful skilled worker cases, and much more!The following posts were covered in this episode:What amendments have been made to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill?Asylum (03:45)New Iran country policy and information note on social media, surveillance and sur place activities First-tier Tribunal wrong to allow appeal based on a grant of humanitarian protection that did not exist Court of Appeal considers standard of proof for internal relocation  Family (08:00)Asylum Aid wins High Court challenge to the statelessness family reunion rules The armed forces immigration rules: what are they, why do they exist and what are the challenges? Home Office guidance on discretionary indefinite leave for children held to be unlawful Is it discriminatory to prevent non-EEA nationals with pre-settled status from being joined in the UK by their spouse?  Visitors (22:40)Brazilian tourist unlawfully detained after “volunteering” in a hostel  Work routes (24:40)Court of Appeal rejects student’s attempt to switch into skilled worker route Challenging the suspension and revocation of a sponsor licence Successful challenge to cancellation of skilled worker leave after Home Office errors Guidance on “exceptional assurance” Covid policy given by Court of Appeal  Updated (40:30)Refugee family reunion: a user’s guideFee waivers for applications made outside the UK: who can qualify and how to applyBriefing: the sorry state of the UK asylum systemA guide to right to work checksA guide to making fresh claimsWhat are the financial requirements for UK spouse and partner visas?