Sign in

BIRCH Network

@birchnetwork.bsky.social
108 followers 180 following 66 posts

BIRCH Network is a volunteer led charity working to harness the enthusiasm of local people to offer friendship and hospitality to people seeking sanctuary www.birchnetwork.org

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Immigration Bot @immigrationbot.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
"The one in, one out deal is being wound down, after it returned around 1,400 people back to France, French officials say" — The Independent
independent.co.uk
UK’s flagship one in, one out migrant exchange deal with France ‘to end’
The one in, one out deal is being wound down, after it returned around 1,400 people back to France, French officials say
003
Reposted by BIRCH Network
AVIDdetention @aviddetention.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A delay has been announced to the inquiry on plans to expand Campsfield immigration detention centre. Letter from lawyers acting pro bono on behalf of the @closecampsfield.bsky.social requesting the Home Office publish more material relating to its planning app www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2659169...
oxfordmail.co.uk
Delay announced for inquiry into immigration detention centre plans
An inquiry into controversial plans to expand an Oxfordshire immigration detention centre has been delayed.
122
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
These far right thugs need locking up. They are deliberately putting lives at risk. If protesting a genocide can be treated as terrorism how are their actions not. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Far-right activist Daniel Thomas slashes dinghy in Channel with blade while rescue worker onboard
Thomas called followers to protest against arrival of asylum seekers in Gosport, but Border Force instead transported them to Dover
6373107
BIRCH Network @birchnetwork.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
**New volunteer positions for Welcome hub pilot** We are looking to recruit volunteers for our New Welcome Hub on Thursday mornings. We are recruiting for three roles: - English Classes - Children’s Support - General Welcome Find out more here: www.volunteerbrum.org/o/Birmingham...
000
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Tristan Grayford @tristangrayford.scot · 23/09/2026
Andy Burnham says this as his Government steadfastly refuses to stand up to the far right on our streets as they violently harass refugees and the RNLI. Andy Burnham's UN speech has been one big lie.
Nothing brings the British people together across age, race and class more than their hatred of injustice – the misuse of power against the powerless.

We will always stand for the underdog against the bully.
27529
Reposted by BIRCH Network
End Deportations Belfast @enddbelfast.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Danny Thomas' subscription model is between £4.99 to £17.99 a month to watch livestreamed hate and terror. Smash the hate economy. No to the monetisation of hate, violence & terror. Inaction is complicity.
Smash the hate economy text. A headline of Far-right activist Danny Thomas slashes dinghy. On a background of police on motorbikes.
13817
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Of course this is utterly sickening. But it doesn't come from nowhere. That any politicians feel able to gamify people's lives and deaths can only come from years of dehumanising people seeking sanctuary by politicians of all stripes. And it's every politician's responsibility to combat that.
mirror.co.uk
Reform hits 'sickening new low' as it launches stop the boats mobile game
Reform UK has been criticised after launching a mobile phone game, named Small Boats Scramble, which sees users pretend to control Royal Navy vessels stopping boats crossing the Channel
087
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
We don't want to talk about a meaningless gesture of hostility. We do want to talk about the very real harm that privately-run, profit-driven camps do to people seeking sanctuary. Everyone needs a home in a community, not a camp.
1105
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Earlier this week I gave evidence to the public bill committee scrutinising the Immigration and Asylum Bill. One topic covered was the proposed "refugee tax", and @refugeecouncil.bsky.social's concern that it will force people into destitution (thanks @4refugeewomen.bsky.social for the clip)
195
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Nicola Kelly @nicolakellywrites.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I have spent weeks shadowing the RNLI and I can tell you, they do it out of nothing more than compassion. Wrote about the heroes I've met over the years in this free-to-read post. nicolakelly.substack.com/p/the-rnli-a...
nicolakelly.substack.com
The RNLI aren't traitors; they're heroes
I have spent weeks shadowing lifeboat crews. Here's what they do and what it's like.
341504485
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Jesuit Refugee Service UK @jrsuk.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
📣Together Autumn 2026 out now! Read about the growing number of children wrongly detained, the realities facing people in immigration detention, and how people are continuing to find dignity and hope despite these challenging circumstances. Get your copy today at www.jrsuk.net/autumn2026!
jrsuk.net
Together, Autumn 2026 | JRS UK
002
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Emma Yeomans @yeomans.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The RNLI has said the abuse of volunteers in Portsmouth has forced it to close the lifeboat station there and stop operating since September 10. Nearby stations have been providing cover to the area instead. One of the UK's largest coastal cities without a lifeboat because of the far-right.
40901503
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Praxis, for migrants and refugees @praxisprojects.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
New report from @rcn.org.uk highlights the devastating nature of the Home Secretary's proposed immigration reforms, declaring them a 'disaster' and 'entirely incompatible' with our health and care system. www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-eve...
rcn.org.uk
Home Secretary’s proposed immigration reforms ‘entirely incompatible’ with ambitions for a National Care Service, warns RCN | Royal College of Nursing
Home Secretary’s proposed immigration reforms ‘entirely incompatible’ with ambitions for a National Care Service, warns RCN
11816
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡 @helenbamber.org · 15/09/2026
Under proposed changes in the Immigration and Asylum Bill 2026, delays, missing information or inconsistencies in what a survivor of human trafficking says could count against their credibility. But trauma can make remembering and talking about what happened much more complicated. 🧵
101
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Emiliano Mellino @mellino.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The UK government is making upwards of £4.9bn in profit from visa fees, citizenship fees & the immigration health surcharge. Meanwhile, people are getting into thousands of pounds of debt or going without food just to afford to these immigration fees. www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026...
thebureauinvestigates.com
Government makes £5bn a year from immigration fees while applicants…
Home Office’s fees are up to 10 times the processing cost – and rising every year
8235155
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
It's a rare policy that would be welcomed by both business and trade unions - and at the same time would *improve* the UK's fiscal position. Dropping these proposals - for which there is no economic, moral or political case - would be one. www.ft.com/content/8a00...
ft.com
Unions demand softening of UK immigration reforms
Proposals will ‘punish’ low-paid migrants doing essential work in public services and create a new staffing crisis in social care, says motion passed at TUC
16676215
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Praxis, for migrants and refugees @praxisprojects.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The hostility toward the RNLI should be a wake-up call. Organisations supporting migrants and refugees have been warning for years that abuse toward those who help others is escalating. @minnierahman.bsky.social explains how civil society must stand together: www.independent.co.uk/voices/rnli-...
independent.co.uk
If we don’t stand up to the far-right for our RNLI heroes, what will it take?
Complacency and inaction from successive governments mean the wave of far-right abuse has now reached our heroic lifeboat volunteers, writes charity CEO Minnie Rahman – and it shows what charities kno...
13524
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Jesuit Refugee Service UK @jrsuk.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
📣Did you know that every month, refugee friends from JRS UK join a community litter pick around Wapping and the surrounding neighbourhoods? A huge thank you to the wonderful Wapping Wombles for organising this, and making us feel so welcome! Together, we're making a difference, one bag at a time.
041
Reposted by BIRCH Network
End Deportations Belfast @enddbelfast.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Conflation of 'protest' and 'terror' is a state appeasement strategy. 'Patriot Platform, created in June by far-right agitator Daniel Thomas, is different [to protest], with its emphasis on recruitment of “English men”, vetting, uniforms & hostility to migrants arriving in the UK by small boats.'
theguardian.com
Dover unrest exposes serious flaws in Britain’s handling of far-right extremism
Authorities were caught off guard by the disruption, which they labelled a ‘protest’ despite mass intimidation tactics
135
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Our friends at Refugee Action are delivering a housewarming card to the Prime Minister, reminding him of what welcome means. They're about to hand it in, so add your name to make sure he's hearing from thousands of voters: act.refugee-action.org.uk/page/195459/...
act.refugee-action.org.uk
Sign our card to Andy Burnham
“As you build your life in No 10, will you help us - people seeking safety - rebuild our lives in Britain?”
023
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Colin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
New tribunal stats are out this morning. Asylum appeals backlog is up but not by much - seems to have started to stabilise. Was 87,450 last quarter, is 90,341 this quarter www.gov.uk/government/s...
gov.uk
Tribunals statistics quarterly: April to June 2026
Type and volume of tribunal cases received, disposed of or outstanding. This also includes statistics on the Gender Recognition Certificate applied for and granted by HMCTS Gender Recognition Panel.
198
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Lizzie Dearden @lizziedearden.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Incidents like this have happened with increasing regularity over the past couple of years, with many triggered by local misinformation about the arrival of non-white people at hotels But it has also happened elsewhere, including a church gathering in a park and a Scout trip to an activity centre
14341142
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
In an article about the number of asylum refusals that are being overturned at appeal, the Home Office response boasts that "The asylum grant rate has been slashed from 77 per cent in 2022 to 38 per cent this year". No concern about whether decisions are correct. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
thetimes.com
Two thirds of rejected asylum claims overturned on appeal
The number rises to more than eight in ten for Afghans. Almost 5,000 migrants who have had appeals dismissed are still living in taxpayer-funded accommodation, data shows
11610
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
🚨 Nearly two-thirds of people who appeal their asylum refusal are then successfully granted protection by the Home Office, new data found. This reflects what we have long observed: ⚠️ The Home Office's initial asylum decisions are often of poor quality and lead to wrongful refusals. 1/🧵
1125
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Refugee and Migrant Justice @rmjusticeuk.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
🎤🎤 "it cuts across any effort to integrate at all.” Mic drop from Paul Nowak @tuc.org.uk explaining why the government's earned settlement model is so harmful. Tweaks won't do. Andy Burnham needs to scrap it in full now and make the positive case for immigration. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
‘Fundamentally unfair’: Burnham must overhaul migration reforms, says TUC general secretary
Paul Nowak says changes to immigration rules risk overstretching social care and fuelling far-right sentiment
12116
Reposted by BIRCH Network
The Saltways @thesaltways.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Two weeks to go until Make Your Own Fundraising Video Masterclass! A practical, confidence-boosting workshop with Emma & Fundraising Everywhere. Perfect for small teams, comms beginners, and anyone who wants to create content that works. Tickets are limited! Book your place here: buff.ly/dL0yW2Q
011
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Institute of Race Relations @irrnews.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Last weekend the masked men we saw dressed in black shouting ‘stop the boats’ and ‘England till I die’, attempting to blockade the port of Dover and the streets of Portsmouth have been compared to Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts or Loyalist-style paramilitaries.
142
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Duncan Lewis Public Law @dlpubliclaw.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Duncan Lewis has been granted permission to challenge the decision to reduce the length of leave granted to refugees from five years to thirty months. The Court has ordered that the claim will be heard as soon as possible on or after 4 Nov. 2026, along with related cases. #PublicLaw #RefugeeRights
022
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
A Serco employee has been charged with misconduct in public office, over sharing the addresses of the houses of asylum seekers, with people who wanted to target those people. Serco says it is cooperating fully - but can not comment further while the case is active. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Man charged with sharing asylum seeker addresses in Thetford
The 62-year-old man is remanded in custody and will appear at Norwich Crown Court on 14 September.
18271166
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Stop Funding Hate @stopfundinghate.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
"People in Belfast lived through this. Their streets were on fire, their neighbours were in danger, and a presenter broadcasting from Washington told the country it wasn’t really happening" www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
irishnews.com
Investigation closed into ‘no riot’ comments by GB News presenter after anti-immigrant violence in Belfast
Ofcom ruling Bev Turner was expressing personal opinion criticised. Comments drew close to 450 complaints
37432
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
David Miliband says 75th anniversary of refugee convention should be about defending core principles & fixing what does not work in practice "We’ve seen what works: giving refugees legal certainty, investing early in integration, and sharing responsibility fairly" www.aol.com/articles/dav...
aol.com
David Miliband’s charity: Don’t give up on refugees to chase votes - AOL
Governments must not weaken their commitments to refugees to chase votes, David Miliband’s charity has said.
1449
Reposted by BIRCH Network
@HaringeyWelcome @haringeywelcome.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
An excellent letter addressing Shabana Mahmood's cruel and unworkable Immigration and Asylum Bill, from the UK's first #WelcomeBorough and the best place to call home - Haringey! haringey.gov.uk/news/cabinet...
032
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Left Foot Forward @left-foot-forward.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
'Women who have experienced immigration detention have been telling us for years that detention deepens trauma, damages mental health, and separates them from the people they love' @4refugeewomen.bsky.social @aviddetention.bsky.social @sdvisitors.bsky.social leftfootforward.org/2026/07/immi...
leftfootforward.org
Immigration detention is failing women – and the prison watchdog’s report leaves no room for denial
The HM Chief Inspector of Prisons' latest report confirms what women have been saying for years: immigration detention causes profound harm
02211
Reposted by BIRCH Network
HOPE not hate @hopenothate.org.uk · 17/07/2026
Members of Remigration Now, the pro-ethnic cleansing group run by Steve Laws, are embedded within Restore Britain, the party led by Rupert Lowe MP. This includes figures in positions of local influence. hopenothate.org.uk/2026/07/17/m...
hopenothate.org.uk
Meet Remigration Now: The pro-ethnic cleansing extremists within Restore Britain – HOPE not hate
Warning: this article includes graphic and offensive language and imagery A HOPE not hate investigation reveals: “I would advise any of you not as damaging...
66546
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) @gmiau.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Where are we now on earned settlement? - With Starmer resigning and Burnham preparing to take the reins, a change of leadership is a chance to change direction. - 200,000 ppl responded to the public consultation on earned settlement, and 500 travelled to Parliament in March to lobby their MPs.
1910
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Shoaib M Khan @shoaibmkhan.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
"Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has admitted he "got it wrong" when he falsely accused a man on social media of filming children in a Glasgow park". Disgusting, dangerous, racist behaviour. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Tommy Robinson says he 'got it wrong' over Glasgow man falsely accused of filming children
UK-born Quoroum Beg was actually filming an anti-immigration demonstration which had earlier forced him and his children to leave a Glasgow park.
111
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
New analysis from @refugeecouncil.bsky.social shows the huge cost to the taxpayer of poor quality Home Office asylum decisions. We estimate it will cost between £974 million and £1.2 billion supporting people currently in the appeals backlog who will have their initial refusal overturned.
1810
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
80 backbenchers have signed what was intended to be a private letter to Burnham [which has leaked] about the need for significant changes to the settlement & asylum reforms. There is a fair amount of frontbench sympathy for this inews.co.uk/news/politic...
210335
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Asylum Matters @asylummatters.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Shutting people seeking sanctuary in ex-military barracks is dangerous, traumatising and cruel. And every night in barracks costs over FIVE TIMES more than a night in a home in a community. So can anyone explain why the Government wants to open MORE camps?
268
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Emma Monk @monkemma.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
This headline is misleading. Not in the usual way I cover - but language matters. I suspect this is lazy headline writing, but who knows? The figures will and should shock people! And I will also cover one of the pervasive retorts - "yes, but what about army veterans..." 🧵 1/23
Evening Standard headline: Asylum seekers make up one-fifth of London's new rough sleepers, shocking new figures show. 
More than half of those sleeping rough are not UK nationals.
A Monk Debunked stamp covers the headline
314975
Reposted by BIRCH Network
City of Sanctuary UK @cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
“Sanctuary” is a word that gets used a lot. But this is what it actually looks like. Small actions, taken together, transforming our communities. We exist to make this happen. Wherever you live or work, there are ways to get involved. 1/2
184
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) @gmiau.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Greater Manchester Asylum Hotels Group feature in this powerful article that highlights the reality of being moved around by the Home Office, from losing community connections to the anxiety caused by unstable accommodation Behind every move is a person whose life is being disrupted all over again👇
inews.co.uk
I met the asylum seekers being moved out of Home Office hotels - this is what I learned
Cramped conditions, unhealthy frozen food, and no space for children to play. These properties are not the all-inclusive resorts many think
088
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Border Criminologies @bordercrim.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Over 25 young people have been forcibly removed to France as part of the UK's 'one in one out', despite flawed age assessments. Research from @jrsuk.bsky.social and @humansforrights.bsky.social show the scheme is putting children at risk. Read today's blog post ⤵️ blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/border-crimi...
048
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Free Movement @freemovement.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
New: UNHCR warns government that unqualified adjudicators will undermine the new asylum appeals body — by Jasmine Quiller-Doust
freemovement.org.uk
UNHCR warns government that unqualified adjudicators will undermine the new asylum appeals body - Free Movement
The government has indicated that it plans to staff the new appeals body with adjudicators who are not required to have legal qualifications. Australia tried
012
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
The long awaited @icibi.bsky.social report on asylum casework has been published. This should form the basis of asylum reform, making sure the system does its most important job correctly - getting decisions right first time www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Inspection report published: An inspection of asylum casework (June – December 2025)
The Independent Chief Inspector comments on the asylum casework inspection report following its publication.
146
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Immigration Bot @immigrationbot.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
"Refugee charities fear controversial changes, including on forced removals and age checks, are being rushed throughShabana Mahmood’s controversial plans to increase the forced removal of people refused asylum, introduce stringent age checks for people claiming to be children and…" — The Guardian
theguardian.com
Shabana Mahmood’s immigration and asylum bill to go before MPs next week
Refugee charities fear controversial changes, including on forced removals and age checks, are being rushed through
188
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Refugee and Migrant Justice @rmjusticeuk.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
This should be a national scandal & a day of shame for the UK. The government is using AI technology that they know is unreliable & which has “baked-in racial bias”. And why are they so determined to use this AI? To try and deport more asylum seeking children. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
independent.co.uk
Home Office knew AI age checks for migrants were flawed — but rolled it out anyway
Exclusive: Government advisors describe the tool as ‘hideously flawed’ amid concern facial age estimation has ‘baked-in racial bias’ — and can wrongly identify a 14-year-old as an adult
056
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Watched this and it was chilling. The policy is bad enough, but watching these xenophobic thugs celebrate it the way they did was objectionable and really demonstrates how far right attitudes have been thoroughly mainstreamed. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
theguardian.com
Anger at ‘send them back’ chants by rightwing MEPs after EU migration law vote
Other lawmakers respond with ‘shame on you’ in heated confrontation over passing of plan to increase deportations
16321
Reposted by BIRCH Network
Nicola Kelly @nicolakellywrites.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
The house next door to mine is being turned into asylum housing. My neighbours are up in arms. Here's the story. (It's free to read - but do subscribe for more) open.substack.com/pub/nicolake...
open.substack.com
On my street
HMOs, Reform stickers and flag-shaggers
2395