CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Lot of highfalutin explanations for the unpopularity of Romanian immigrants offered here, but a lot of British people just think that "Romanian" = "Roma" link.springer.com/chapter/10.1... 000
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 01/10/2026"The most important reason why immigration is more successful in the United States is the simplest: Europe makes it structurally much harder for immigrants to work" www.theargumentmag.com/p/why-americ...theargumentmag.comWhy America is so much better than Europe at immigrationWhat liberals can actually learn from Denmark 011
Reposted by CJ McKinneyWork Rights Centre @workrights.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Home Office rules on Right to Work checks are being updated from tomorrow. Read our explainer, which covers: • When will businesses need to conduct a Right to Work check? • How can businesses conduct these checks? • Is one Right to Work check enough? www.workrightscentre.org/publications...workrightscentre.orgRight to Work checks to be redefined from 1 October 2026 | Work Rights Centre 003
Reposted by CJ McKinneyImmigration 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 Independentindependent.co.ukUK’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
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 30/09/2026"The government expects the total arrivals across UK Resettlement and the 3 new community sponsorship routes to number in the hundreds at first, but this will grow into the low thousands as levels of illegal migration fall. A cap will be set each year." www.gov.uk/government/n...gov.ukUK Resettlement Scheme reopens for new referralsThe Home Secretary has reopened the UK Resettlement Scheme, with around a quarter of referrals expected to be Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees. 011
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Written because we are asked all the time how many migrants are living in a certain area or constituency; article explains that the only comprehensive figures are from the census every ten years 101
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Home Secretary’s full speech to the Labour Party conference today: labour.org.uk/updates/stor...labour.org.ukShabana Mahmood's speech to Labour Party Conference 2026 – The Labour PartyHear from Shabana Mahmood, Home Secretary, at Labour Party Conference 2026. 010
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 28/09/2026"Mahmood will tell the Labour conference on Monday that she will reopen the UK [refugee] resettlement scheme... The Home Office expects about one in four arrivals to be Afghan women and girls and Palestinian refugees, though numbers will initially be very small". www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comUK to open new refugee resettlement routes for Afghan women and PalestiniansExclusive: Move by Shabana Mahmood comes after closure of Afghan scheme last year but experts say numbers too small to deter Channel crossings 033
Reposted by CJ McKinneyImmigration Bot @immigrationbot.bsky.social · 24/09/2026The House of Commons Library published a briefing on 24 September 2026 on the United Kingdom aid budget and support for refugees in the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2026. It said the United Kingdom spent 18% of its aid budget supporting refugees in the United Kingdom in 2025.updates.freemovement.org.ukThe UK aid budget and support for refugees in the UK, 2022 to 2026Commons Library briefing, 24 Sep 2026. The UK spent 18% of its aid budget supporting refugees in the UK in 2025. Via Free Movement's Immigration Updates Dashboard. 112
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Local management information indicates that from the introduction of the [EU Settlement Scheme] in 2018 to 30 June 2026, 1,473 individuals have been notified that their pre-settled status was granted in error". 013
Reposted by CJ McKinneyJon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Interesting report by the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee on how the Home Office managed to accidently delete a section of the immigration rules, and the workaround that highlights the lack of parliamentary scrutiny of the Home Secretary's powers publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5902/ld...publications.parliament.ukHouse of Lords - Twelfth Report - Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee 063
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Citizenship tests are coming to Ireland, along with a longer residence period (eight years) before people qualify in the first place www.gov.ie/en/departmen... 022
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Updated this mostly to note that final decisions on the "earned settlement" policy of having migrants wait longer for permanent residence are coming "very soon", the Home Secretary says 020
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 21/09/2026The transcript of the Home Secretary's answers to questions from MPs on 15 September has now been published (Q53 onward for immigration): committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence... 011
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 17/09/2026A committee of MPs heard evidence on the Immigration and Asylum Bill this week. This is one important concern about the proposed new appeal system with non-lawyers as judges: 344
Reposted by CJ McKinneyMadeleine Sumption @msumption.bsky.social · 17/09/2026How does immigration affect public finances? Is the OBR getting it right? Which migration policies are fiscally costly vs beneficial? Much enjoyed discussing all this - and my new book, "What is immigration policy for?" with @theifs.bsky.social on their excellent IFS Zooms In podcast 063
Reposted by CJ McKinneyJasmine Quiller-Doust @jasminedoust.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Our reader survey is currently live and we’d love to hear from you. freemovement.org.uk/reader-surve...freemovement.org.ukThe Free Movement reader survey 2026: how are we doing? - Free MovementThis week, we are running our sixth reader survey since we started surveying in 2013. We are very interested in what you think of Free Movement, and what you 002
Reposted by CJ McKinneyMargot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026'International students..."visa hoppers" and backpackers will be targeted under stricter rules announced by Australia...in a bid to curb immigration. Foreign students will no longer be able to bring their families with them and those who want to extend their stay must choose a higher qualification.bbc.co.ukAustralia immigration crackdown: visas for international students and backpackers targetedThe government wants to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 people by 2028. 112
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 14/09/2026PISA results suggest that “the UK will continue to have a ‘small boats‘ issue. Why on earth would a migrant - genuine refugee or not - want to stop in France? We offer them and their children a bright future, and France does not” timleunig.substack.com/p/pisa?r=27b...timleunig.substack.comPISAThe education test, not the place in Italy 000
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 11/09/2026"Staff told inspectors that Border Force gave priority to the management of queues over refusals casework and that they had experienced pressure from managers to grant passengers permission to enter the UK when they felt further examination was appropriate." www.gov.uk/government/p...gov.ukAn inspection of refusals and cancellations of permission to enter the UK (September 2025 – February 2026)This inspection report contains two recommendations. 010
Reposted by CJ McKinneyUK Constitutional Law Association @ukcla.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Chris Rowe: Requalifying Article 8: The Immigration and Asylum Bill ukconstitutionallaw.org/2026/09/10/c...ukconstitutionallaw.org 001
Reposted by CJ McKinneyColin Yeo @colinyeo.bsky.social · 10/09/2026New 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.ukTribunals statistics quarterly: April to June 2026Type 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 CJ McKinneyMigration Observatory @migobs.bsky.social · 08/09/2026UPDATED BRIEFING: Public opinion has become less supportive of immigration recently, but the picture is nuanced, and the UK is still more positive than many European neighbours UK Public Opinion toward Immigration: Overall Attitudes and Level of Concern migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...migrationobservatory.ox.ac.ukUK Public Opinion toward Immigration: Overall Attitudes and Level of Concern - Migration ObservatoryThis briefing provides an overview of attitudes toward immigration in Britain. 022
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 07/09/2026I helped out with this project a little - thought it went well and this video gives a good sense of how much the participants got into it on the day 030
Reposted by CJ McKinneyThe Journal @thejournal.ie · 07/09/2026Planned changes to the requirements for Irish citizenship will ensure that new citizens have an 'understanding' of Ireland and the country's values, the Taoiseach said today jrnl.ie/7154915jrnl.ieCitizenship rules to be tightened with longer residency and language testThose seeking Irish citizenship will be required be resident in the country for eight years, up from the current five. 324
Reposted by CJ McKinneyDemos @demos-uk.bsky.social · 07/09/2026📣 New Report | Your Voice on #Immigration What happens if you give people the time, information and space to discuss one of the most contested issues in British politics? 🗣️ ‘Your Voice on Immigration’ did just that. demos.co.uk/research/you...demos.co.ukYour Voice on Immigration: Report on the findings from public deliberation on work-related immigration for the home affairs committeeDemos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events. 132
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 07/09/2026UN Refugee Agency says it's "concerned that the limitations on the interpretation of Article 8 ECHR proposed in the Bill could further restrict an important avenue through which refugee families may seek to preserve family unity". www.unhcr.org/uk/media/unh... 112
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 03/09/2026"Today, the gangs are quoting up to €2,000 (£1,700) per person. It used to be around €1,300 just a year ago. Their passengers also have to now pay in cash, to ensure commitment" www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukChannel smuggling gangs resort to 'mega-dinghies' as crackdown limits small boat supplyOnce-rival criminal groups are being forced to work together because of a shortage of small boats, a BBC investigation has found. 000
Reposted by CJ McKinneyJames Bowes @jamesbowes01.bsky.social · 27/08/2026More main applicant long-term work visas for entry now granted to EU nationals than to South Asians and Africans combined. This is including health and care. 024
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Potentially quite a significant change for people who've lost their work visa sponsorship because of employer misconduct, although tied to formal recognition through the modern slavery system questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat... 144
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 03/09/2026"A new specialist unit of 75 officers dedicated to tackling small boat crossings is now active in Northern France, taking the total number of officers to nearly 1050" www.gov.uk/government/n...gov.uk‘Working alongside Europe is the key to driving a stronger Britain’- BurnhamThe Prime Minister will host President Macron in Downing Street today (Thursday 3 September) to discuss shared challenges facing both countries. 031
Reposted by CJ McKinneyFree Movement @freemovement.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Long thread alert 🧵 1. The High Court has upheld the Home Secretary's student visa brake, dismissing a judicial review brought by seven women from Afghanistan, Cameroon, and Sudan who had secured university places and scholarships before the measure took effect. 133
Reposted by CJ McKinneySecond Reading @commonslibrary.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Statistics on small boat Channel crossings commonslibrary.parliament.uk/resear… 001
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Huh: the Home Office says “no change has been made to the requirements needed to travel to the UK. Requiring a passport to provide this information was a decision made by the ferry companies operating international routes between Ireland and Britain" www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/...telegraph.co.ukNew barriers in Common Travel Area as passport now required for Britain-Ireland ferryPassengers must provide an official government document to cross between the two countries for the first time in over 100 years 201
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 27/08/2026"The Home Office told inspectors that staff used 23 systems to identify and manage overstayers, but during the onsite phase of this inspection, inspectors were made aware of more systems"🫠 www.gov.uk/government/p...gov.ukAn inspection of overstayers (March – October 2025)This inspection report contains five recommendations. 132
Reposted by CJ McKinneyMigration Observatory @migobs.bsky.social · 27/08/2026📊New migration stats: asylum applications are down, while UK citizenship applications hit a record high. 315,000+ applied in the year to June 2026 (+17%). Non-EU nationals drove the numbers, but growth was sharper among EU nationals. Check our analysis: migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/press/citize...migrationobservatory.ox.ac.ukCitizenship applications hit new record while asylum applications fall - Migration Observatory 084
Reposted by CJ McKinneyElectronic Immigration Network @ein-website.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Breaking the human smuggling policy trap globalinitiative.net/analysis/bre... "This note argues that the Channel is not an anomaly but the current British manifestation of a pattern that recurs wherever a high-demand migration corridor meets a hardened border. That pattern is a policy trap."globalinitiative.netBreaking the human smuggling policy trapThis policy note explains how the UK can break the human smuggling policy trap through enforcement, legal routes, returns and international cooperation. 011
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 26/08/2026"The change comes at the behest of the UK Border Force to verify the 'accuracy and integrity' of passenger data before boarding". www.thejournal.ie/ireland-uk-f...thejournal.ieFerry passengers travelling between Ireland and the UK will now need a passportPreviously, some ferry lines allowed passengers to use other forms of valid ID. 011
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 26/08/2026"Mahmood also revealed she was in talks with France to make the one-in, one-out deal permanent after the current temporary pilot expires in October." www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...thetimes.comShabana Mahmood: I’ll spread asylum housing more ‘fairly’ around UKThe home secretary says she wants a ‘mixed model’ including military bases and HMOs as the government prepares to house more migrants in wealthy areas 131
Reposted by CJ McKinneyBAILII (The British and Irish Legal Information Institute) @bailii.bsky.social · 25/08/2026BAILII now includes UK First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber decisions: UKFTT (IAC). They can be found in our lists of: - Recent Additions: www.bailii.org/recent-acces... - Recent Decisions: www.bailii.org/recent-decis... #law #UKTribunals #ImmigrationandAsylum #immigration 0810
Reposted by CJ McKinneyIain Mansfield @igmansfield.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Policy Exchange presents: The Home Secretary Interviews. Exclusive new in-depth interviews with 14 Home Secretaries 1990 - 2024. Read them in their own words on policing, immigration, protest and more from May, Blunkett, Straw, Howard, Braverman, Clarke... Full report ⬇️ 21310
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 18/08/2026“The available data suggest that non-citizens were more likely to be convicted or incarcerated for drug offences and less likely for violent offences, compared to British citizens.” migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...migrationobservatory.ox.ac.ukMigrants and crime in the UK - Migration ObservatoryThis briefing provides the available evidence on migration and crime in the UK. 011
Reposted by CJ McKinneyStefano Fella @stefanofella.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Our commons Library research briefing on the Ceuta migrant crossings and European reaction 026
Reposted by CJ McKinneyBen Brindle @benbrindle.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Which sports use International Sportsperson visas? Cricket clubs, by quite some distance. They made up 57% of sponsors in the year ending June 2025. Note that this is the number of organisations sponsoring, not the number of IS visas granted. The Home Office wouldn't give me that info. 242
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 13/08/2026"More deprived areas tend to have more supported asylum seekers. The most deprived tenth of local authorities have, on average, 30 asylum seekers per 10,000 residents, the least deprived tenth fewer than four". spectator.com/article/wher...spectator.comWhere do asylum seekers actually live in Britain?More deprived areas tend to have more asylum seekers. The most deprived tenth of local authorities have 30 per 10,000 residents 010
Reposted by CJ McKinneyImmigration Bot @immigrationbot.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Student Visa Brake barring nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan was lawful. Claimants argued irrationality and discriminatory impact on women. Court held immigration rules are border control, not a vehicle for addressing overseas discrimination.updates.freemovement.org.ukShahira Sadat & Ors, R (on the application of) v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWHC 2157 (Admin)High Court (Administrative Court), decided 12 August 2026. Via Free Movement's Immigration Updates Dashboard. 013
Reposted by CJ McKinneyAdministrative Court Blog @admincourtblog.bsky.social · 11/08/2026A turning point in Article 8 reunification cases administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com/2026/08/11/a...administrativecourtblog.wordpress.comA turning point in Article 8 reunification casesThe Court of Appeal has continued to emphasise the strictness of the approach which should be applied by courts and tribunals when individuals challenge immigration decisions by relying on their ri… 036
CJ McKinney @cjmckinney.bsky.social · 10/08/2026A colleague reminds me that the Reform Party policy of paying other countries to take prisoners from the UK, as announced today, was also Conservative government policy: www.gov.uk/government/n.... I don't think Alex Chalk's announcement got as much attention.gov.ukForeign prison rental to ensure public protectionThe Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has announced new measures that will allow the government to rent prison cells overseas to ensure dangerous offenders can be locked up for longer. 020