More than 16,000 refugees unable to reunite with families in UK, says Refugee Council
Summary
More than 16,000 refugees cannot join their families in the UK because the government paused the refugee family reunion program in September 2023. This has left many stuck in dangerous areas or forced to use unsafe methods to reach safety, especially affecting women and children.Key Facts
- The UK government stopped the refugee family reunion route in September 2023.
- This route allowed refugees to bring spouses and children under 18 to the UK.
- About 16,300 people have been prevented from applying to join family members since the suspension.
- Most affected are women and children—around 9,273 children and 5,835 women.
- Other safe routes for refugees exist but arrivals have dropped by more than a third in the past year.
- A community sponsorship program helps some refugees, but it has only assisted about 1,000 people over ten years.
- Refugees like an Iranian woman in London report suffering and separation due to delays and the suspension.
- The Refugee Council asks the government to restart family reunions while expanding other safe routes.
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