Studying and immigration bail

We have published an information page on studying, ‘no study’ conditions and immigration bail. In January 2018, changes were made to the law regarding immigration bail. Anyone without leave to remain to enter will be subject to immigration bail. This includes asylum seekers, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, undocumented children and young people and care leavers without…


Child trafficking and ‘county lines’ – new guide from the Youth Justice Legal Centre

CCLC recently collaborated with the Youth Justice Legal Centre (‘YJLC’) and others on a guide about  ‘county lines’ and trafficking. This new YJLC guide is intended to give criminal lawyers and professionals information about county lines gangs, child trafficking & modern slavery defences for children. County lines, trafficking & child criminal exploitation (CCE) County lines is “the…



Safeguarding unaccompanied children

Exactly one year after it was promised by the then ministers for immigration and children, the government published its safeguarding strategy for unaccompanied children on 1 November. The strategy’s introductory and welcome message is that refugee and migrant children are children first and foremost, and must not be defined by their immigration status. It makes…



What will Brexit mean for children?

What is the government’s current position and what is it proposing for the status of European children after the UK finally leaves the EU? Following the vote to leave the EU in June 2016, European citizens were left in limbo about their status in the UK, as were British citizens living abroad. Of the three…



New website for the Refugee Children’s Consortium

The RCC began as, and remains, a lobbying group that brings together organisations with expertise in refugee and/or children’s issues. Together we contribute to the debate on how refugee and migrant children’s rights can best be protected in an increasingly hostile environment.


Home Office ‘deport first, appeal later’ policy ruled unlawful

Today the Supreme Court ruled that the Home Office policy of ‘deport first, appeal later’ was unlawful. This is of particular importance in light of the recent extension of out-of-country appeals to all human rights applications. Under the Immigration Bill 2016, the Secretary of State gained the power to certify the claim of someone appealing…


Legal routes to status and permanence for undocumented children

CCLC has today published a new guide called ‘Securing permanent status: existing legal routes for children and young people without leave to remain in the UK.’ This guide was first published in 2013 to outline to individuals, organisations and policy-makers the legal routes through which children and young people can attain status in the UK where…


Immigration application fees increase

On 6th April 2017, the fees for immigration applications rose once more. Immigration law is extremely complex, and any child, young person or family who has uncertain immigration status, or limited leave (“permission”) to be in the UK should obtain legal advice to assist with their application. Failure to pay a fee when applying could…


Young Syrians finally recognised as refugees

Syrians who are resettled in Britain will finally be recognised as refugees by the UK Government. The Home Office has announced that Syrian refugees who are being resettled here will now be granted refugee status, rather than humanitarian protection. This will enable Syrians to access university and to travel more easily to visit relatives in other European…