Refugees have viewed the UK as a safe haven to seek asylum. In 2014, there has been an estimated 23,479 asylum seekers entering the UK to seek refuge. The Home Office, however, may refuse protection if they identify that a refugee is not genuine or that protection is not needed, and they will take steps to remove those who they perceive to have no valid grounds to stay.

CLAIMING ASYLUM

To be recognised as a refugee and given asylum in the UK you must have left your country of origin/residence and be unable to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution. The threats that are outlined by the Home Office for refugees who have a well-founded fear of persecution are:

•   race

•   religion

•   nationality

•   political opinion

•   membership of a particular social group that puts you at risk because of the social, cultural, religious or political situation in your country, eg your gender, gender identity, sexual orientation

DISCRETIONARY LEAVE TO REMAIN

If you do not qualify as a refugee or for humanitarian protection, you may be eligible for Discretionary Leave to Remain although this is only given in limited circumstances such as being under the age of 18.

FAMILY REUNION PROGRAMME

Refugees who have fled to the UK can include any dependents in their asylum application where they have travelled with them. If, however, the refugee’s family has been left behind and they have have been recognised as a refugee or given humanitarian protection in the UK, pre-existing family can apply to enter the UK for asylum under the Family Reunion Programme. Other family members may be considered for compassionate reasons.

UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS

If your asylum application is unsuccessful and you are not recognised or granted protection as a refugee in the UK, you may have a right of appeal or judicial review to the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal. At the end of any appeals process you will be expected to voluntarily return to your country of origin/residence otherwise you risk an order for enforced removal. This may involve your arrest and detention in a secure centre, also known as Immigration Removal Centres, until you are required to leave. If your appeal rights have been exhausted you may have a final right to make a further submission to the Home Office

UK & EU ILS can provide you with up-to-date advice and professional services with more than 10 years experience in the asylum and immigration field. We do our upmost to prevent our client’s asylum cases reaching Judicial Review because as humans, we know the worry of rising costs and fees for our clients.

If you require assistance on your Asylum case, call us on 0208 7811 992 or email us at info@ukeuils.com