Whilst the government dubbed the formal resettlement routes as Operation Warm Welcome, this was not the reality for asylum seekers already in the UK- with the Nationality and Borders Bill promising to further punish and criminalise people arriving in the UK spontaneously . In the interests of public safety, it is right that individuals who are found to have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, terrorism or other serious crimes will not be eligible for resettlement. Councils have raised concerns about use of hotels for asylum seekers and refugees, and stressed the need for better coordination if they or other forms of short term accommodation have to be used in a crisis. This cookie is used for collecting user data across website. We try to make sure information is accurate at the date it is published. The purpose of the cookie is to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. They live in one room with a family friend. Finally, we are concerned that the target of supporting up to 20,000 people through this scheme will include Afghans who already arrived in the UK, meaning that not all of these places will be new places, but will instead be allocated to Afghans who arrived in the UK as part of the evacuation process. Claiming asylum should be a process to rebuild ones life, but right now it feels more like a form of punishment. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Please donate today to help refugees, including those fleeing Ukraine, in desperate need of expert support. Through this scheme, the UK Government will prioritise: Please note that there is no application process for the ACRS. Thirdly, we know from the people we have been supporting that many families have become separated as a result of the crisis. This is a pattern type cookie set by Google Analytics, where the pattern element on the name contains the unique identity number of the account or website it relates to. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the website is doing. The government has approved the Nationality and Borders Bill- a plan to criminalise and punish refugees who are claiming asylum. One of the most immediate and pressing concerns for Afghans who arrived in the UK as a result of the evacuation is how they will be able to bring their family members to the UK. It helps in tracking the ads conversion rates. Firstly, under pathway 2, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will refer for resettlement to the UK, refugees who have fled Afghanistan. Families are placed in temporary bridging accommodation, with councils, local partners and government providing interim wrap around support. Our front line service, the Community Programme works with around 550 individuals each year to provide welfare advice, legal support as well as person-centred holistic support (buddying, community activities). The LGA wants to work with government to clarify details of the new scheme so councils can continue to pledge support, plan effectively, and understand and meet needs. Those arriving through both schemes will be granted immediate Indefinite Leave to Remain which gives rights to work and benefits and the option to apply for British citizenship after five years. Stores the user's video player preferences using embedded YouTube video. As well as supporting eligible British nationals, those coming to the UK as a result of the recent evacuation and any future arrivals will be supported by councils and their partners under two schemes. This cookie is set by the provider Outbrain. As the UK co-hosts the UN Pledging Summit on Afghanistan, the Refugee Council and British Red Cross have led a joint letter to the Home Secretary co-signed by a number of other organisations working with and alongside evacuated Afghans in the UK. Last year we wrote to Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) with our concerns about asylum hotels, our report includes testimony from our members about the harsh realities of living for months on end in this type of accommodation. This included advising on welfare support and helping them understand their rights and access to services.

Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This cookie is installed by Google Analytics.

The existing Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme offers support and accommodation to current and former Locally Employed Staff and their families. Over 300 councils have already offered pledges of support for arrivals from Afghanistan via Strategic Migration Partnerships. The cross-government Operation Warm Welcome has a focus on supporting new arrivals under these scheme to find work, pursue education and integrate into local communities. Many of our organisations work with and alongside evacuated Afghans in the UK, we are writing to you to outline our grave concern over the lack of safe and legal routes available for vulnerable people still in Afghanistan to reach the UK. Funding will also be provided to support education, English language and health provision in year one. Consequently, despite having access to welfare support and the right to work, people felt that they had little power over their lives. The evacuation included British nationals and their families, Afghans who had loyally served the UK, and other vulnerable people. Second, The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), a longer term programme designed to resettle 20,000 people over five years. Paragraph 27 of the ACRS policy statement [3]states that: the government will work with international partners and NGOs in the region to implement a referral process for those inside Afghanistan, (where safe passage can be arranged,) and for those who have recently fled to countries in the region. The cookie is used to collect information about the usage behavior for targeted advertising. For more information please refer to our privacy policy. Ahead of the UK co-hosting the upcoming United Nations virtual summit on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, we hope the contents of this letter are useful to the government, both in terms of setting out our immediate concerns and in identifying practical solutions. For another member, there is a more optimistic future ahead as he has finally been granted refugee status. This cookie is set by pubmatic.com. This cookie is set by pubmatic.com. People have lost so much- their home, family and a sense of belonging. UNHCR UK information and links on Ukraine Situation, UNHCR UK information and links on Afghanistan Situation, UNHCR UK FAQs on COVID-19 in Relation to Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Tackling sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, Frequently asked questions for asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, Environment, Disasters and Climate Change, Ties that Bind: Community Sponsorship in the UK. The scheme provides another demonstration of our New Plan for Immigration in action.

Announced in January 2021, this programme has been open since April 2021 and builds on a scheme in operation which relocated just over 1,000 in council support since 2013. If an applicant is successful under the ARAP scheme, they will have the opportunity to apply for indefinite leave to enter the UK. It is used to persist the random user ID, unique to that site on the browser. This lack of information was distressing for our members and frustrating for caseworkers. Resettlement UNHCR Frequently asked questions, UNHCR Afghanistan Help for refugees and asylum-seekers, UNHCR Iran Help for refugees and asylum-seekers, UNHCR Pakistan Help for refugees and asylum-seekers, UNHCR Central Asia Help for refugees and asylum-seekers, those who have assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, womens rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law, vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk, and members of minority groups at risk (including ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT+). councils and local partners in around 80 bridging hotels. UNHCR is not involved in this form. 1077116. The glacial pace of progress for the Afghan A great deal of time and effort goes into producing the information on Free Movement, become a member of Free Movement to get unlimited access to all articles, and much, much more.

Any future referrals to the ACRS would be in line with UNHCRs resettlement procedures.

The current focus is on identifying one-bed and four-bed properties as there are significant numbers of two- and three-bed properties that have already been pledged. Reading Refugee Support Group, Reading City Of Sanctuary, Efi Stathopoulou, Programmes Manager at Refugee Legal Support, Naomi Webb, Executive Director, Good Chance, Tom Martin, Director, City of Sanctuary Sheffield, [1] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme, [2] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-family-resettled-under-afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme, [3] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1017133/210912_Afghan_policy_statement_.pdf. Applicants already in the UK with temporary status under ARAP can apply, free of charge, to convert their status to indefinite leave to remain. UNHCR offices in the region will only be involved with the referral of Afghan refugees, who by definition are individuals outside of their country of origin, and who are deemed in need of resettlement. Resettlement is just one element of the UK Governments response to the situation in Afghanistan, in addition to our diplomatic efforts and international aid in the region, working alongside like-minded states and as part of the international community. Migrants Organise is a platform for migrants and refugees to organise for dignity and justice. Further information can be found:Resettlement UNHCR Frequently asked questions. More than 4,000 Afghans have moved into permanent accommodation, with over 12,000 people still being supported by government. The scheme will prioritise those who have assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, womens rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law and vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk, and members of minority groups at risk (including ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT+). This cookies is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos. We are asking that future plans take account of learning from previous schemes including Syrian resettlement and current issues and learning from councils. The cookie is set by CasaleMedia. Many of our members compare it to the oppression and violence that they once fled. It was announced on 1 September 2021 that people already relocated to the UK under ARAP will be able to apply free of charge to convert their temporary leave into indefinite leave. They will be eligible to apply from any country (including Afghanistan and regardless of their employment status, rank or role, or length of time served. Theyre not able to open the window and the room overheats and her children are getting rashes. This cookie is set by Google and is used to distinguish users. During the pandemic he was moved to an asylum hotel, away from the community hed built in West London. The following information is to assist persons hoping to leave Afghanistan or persons with friends or family in Afghanistan or who are forcibly displaced in the region. Expressions of interest will be accepted until Monday 15 August 2022, when the online system will close. In January 2022, the then Minister for Afghan Resettlement announced the launch of a new Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), which will resettle up to 20,000 eligible people over the coming years. Expressions of interest will be considered in the order they are received, although some groups will be prioritised because the role they performed or the project they worked on mean they are particularly at risk, or because there are exceptionally compelling circumstances. It is estimated that 7,000 of the recent arrivals are ARAP claimants. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.

Another member, S, arrived only last October and is still waiting for her asylum interview, which is causing her great anxiety. Living in a hotel for long periods of time has been very challenging for our members. There is no doubt that being resettled to a new country in such sudden and shocking circumstances causes distress and trauma. 12 million to prioritise additional school places, to provide school transport, specialist teachers and English language. The domain of this cookie is owned by Adroll. Weve requested asylum support accommodation but nothing has been identified and we have needed to refer the case to a solicitor for a judicial review challenge. Prior to joining the Bar, Sarah worked for 6 years in the not-for-profit sector as a specialist immigration caseworker. But a bureaucratic delay has meant that he is still living in an asylum hotel accommodation- it feels like he is stuck there. Its needs to be underpinned by transparent data; appropriate, long term funding; and governance across councils and central government. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. This cookie is used for advertising purposes. The cookie is set by Facebook to show relevant advertisments to the users and measure and improve the advertisements. Guidance on the expression of interest process is available on gov.uk [from Monday 13 June]. Its frustrating how much of our time and effort is spent on a case that should be so straight forward. By becoming a member of Free Movement, you not only support the hard-work that goes into maintaining the website, but get access to premium features; Sarah is a specialist immigration barrister at Goldsmith Chambers in London. The older the blog post on this site, the more likely it is that there have been legal developments since it was published. Operation Pitting saw the UK undertake the largest evacuation in living memory, and we commend the government in successfully bringing over 15,000 people to safety in the UK at such short notice. Immigration law changes very rapidly, though. Sorry, the details you entered weren't correct, please try again, Updates, commentary, training and advice on immigration and asylum law, Access to all our online training materials. The UK Government formally opened the ACRS on 6 January 2022. Here we supported people with some of the information and practical steps needed. This cookie is set by Facebook to deliver advertisement when they are on Facebook or a digital platform powered by Facebook advertising after visiting this website. This is set by Hotjar to identify a new users first session. We advocate for effective and principled humanitarian action by all, for all. People who are within the asylum system are also battling complex health conditions like post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A Company Limited by Guarantee No. There was very little information about what status and rights they would be entitled to once that six months were completed. Eligible applicants will be able to bring certain family members with them to the UK.

Many people arriving on the governments evacuation scheme arrived on a six month visa. The FCDO will launch an online system on Monday 20 June, where eligible individuals will be able to express interest in UK resettlement. Migrants Organise provided support to people who had been resettled to West London where a lot of our work is based. This cookie is set by the provider The Guardian. The first of these referral pathways offers a place on the ACRS for some of the individuals and families who were brought to safety in the UK under Op PITTING. It appears to be a variation of the _gat cookie which is used to limit the amount of data recorded by Google on high traffic volume websites. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, ACLED Regional Overview: South Asia and Afghanistan (9 - 15 July 2022), Lives on Hold: The Experiences of People in Hotel Asylum Accommodation, Afghanistan Humanitarian Bulletin Issue 87 | March June 2022, Afghanistan Humanitarian Situation Report for No. Government aims to resettle e 20,000 people over five years under this new scheme.