Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has sparked a buzz, as she’s cautiously optimistic about starting the migrant returns to France this month! 🛂 While the first returns are anticipated in September under a new “one in, one out” scheme, Cooper’s staying grounded and not making any guarantees just yet. She highlighted it’s a pilot scheme and assured everyone it would evolve over time. 🛳️
The plan aims to send migrants back to France who crossed the Channel, and in return, France will send migrants applying and accepted to the UK. But with rumours swirling that France might not keep up their end, Cooper has committed to ongoing collaboration with them.
Ministers are feeling upbeat as they look to speed up emptying asylum hotels before the parliamentary deadline. On that note, Sir Keir Starmer wants to hustle the process along even faster, suggesting it could be completed before the end of the Parliament term, all things being ideal. 🏨
In the meantime, Cooper has suspended new applications for the current refugee family reunion route, meaning everyone will follow the same migration rules until new ones are rolled out in the spring. 🌸
But that’s not all! 🎓 The Home Office is also tackling international students’ asylum claims. With up to 15,000 students yearly applying once their visas expire, a new campaign is underway. Students and their families are now directly notified that they must head home when visas end unless they have the right to stay. Last week, nearly 10,000 received these critical updates, with more on the way. Claims without solid grounds will face swift denials, so students, take note!
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds and the government makes strides on these pressing issues. 📢