UPDATE: From 30th September, we are changing how we give legal advice. The only way to get legal advice from GMIAU will be to fill in our confidential online form. Our telephone advice line will no longer be operating after Monday 29th September. Read more about these changes will look like:

The use of hotels to house people seeking safety was never a long-term solution - it was a consequence of Home Office delays, poor planning, and political choices. We’ve seen the impact that hypervisibility and poor conditions continue to have on those living in hotels, and something MUST change:

1/🧵We've seen repeatedly that Windrush survivors are receiving far less compensation than they are entitled to under the Windrush Compensation Scheme. The key reason? A lack of access to free legal advice which forces many to navigate a complex process alone The impact of this cannot be overstated:

If you've read about Reform's plans to scrap indefinite leave to remain for migrants, you are probably as disturbed as we are. It's dangerous and offensive at every level. But if you've wondered why migrants aren't applying for citizenship, here's why. datawrapper.dwcdn.net/n97hk/2/

£1,035. Per Person. Per year. FOR 10 YEARS. Immigration Health Surcharge + 10-year route to settlement = poverty, anxiety and hardship. Thanks to @rfuk.bsky.social, @ramfel.bsky.social, @gmiau.bsky.social + others for sounding the alarm on this madness 🚨👇 www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

A reminder that we are celebrating the launch of our 2 new guides on 11th September with a brilliant training session, and it's not one to be missed. Please sign up and join us! We hope to see you there 👇🎟️

Is it groundhog day? In a desperate race to the bottom, the Government now want to warehouse people seeking safety in the UK on military and industrial sites. These are the exact plans this Government condemned when they were in opposition. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

We’re calling for a fairer system: no-one should have to wait more than 5 years to settle. No more massive fees, no more hidden delays or conditions, no more living in limbo. 📝Sign the Scrap the Barriers petition act.praxis.org.uk/scrap-the-ba...

Did you know that thousands of migrants are being forced to wait over ten years until they can permanently settle in the UK? And if this Government has their way, over a million more people will be trapped in this decade-long wait. Spread the word. Share this video now. youtube.com/shorts/WDuan...

We've just updated our blog to explain about the changes, and what this means for people who did not manage to submit an application before the deadline. There are other possible routes to apply depending on an individual's circumstances, and we go through them here: gmiau.org/refugee-fami...

Cooper in 2021: "If there arent the safe legal routes for family reunion we end up with more people being driven into the arms of criminal gangs" Cooper yesterday: "we are bringing forward new rules to temporarily suspend new applications under the existing family reunion route"

The deadline for submitting refugee family reunion applications was 3pm today. If you were planning to apply for refugee family reunion but did not make an application before this deadline it’s possible you may be able to apply under a different route. We will update our blog shortly. Solidarity🤝

More reckless and cruel ideas coming from the Conservatives - nothing but a desperate attempt to stay relevant, and a guaranteed way to wreck the economy all over again. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Solidarity with every immigration lawyer working round the clock to get these in before the deadline. Heroes, every one of you.

A reminder that the deadline for all refugee family reunion applications is today at 3pm.

Amidst the current hostility and racism being shown across the UK, young people from our All4One group continue to be a source of positivity and hope. Despite the challenges they have, and continue to face, they wanted to share messages of hope and solidarity with others seeking safety in the UK..

The suspension of refugee family reunion visas, pending a new system next year, is reportedly coming in tomorrow at 3pm (presumably immigration rules to that effect will be published tomorrow morning) gmiau.org/refugee-fami...

📢 BOOKED OUT 📢 We are pleased to announce that the North-West Migrants' Rights Conference, co-hosted by Garden Court North and Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU), is fully booked out. Please monitor the below event page for any more tickets should they become available.

🚨URGENT FAMILY REUNIFICATION DEADLINE ALERT - 3PM TOMORROW 🚨 The government’s cruel changes to refugee family reunion take effect tomorrow, tearing more families apart. If you’re representing clients, apply before 3pm tomorrow.

❗ACT NOW At the time of writing, you can still submit refugee family reunion applications. However new applications will not be considered after 3pm on Thursday 4th September. If you're eligible + planned to apply, we urge you to submit an online application as soon as possible, before this time.

Join @gmiau.bsky.social and Garden Court North for the upcoming North West Migrants’ Rights Conference on 30/09/25. Our solicitor Kathy Cosgrove will be speaking alongside knowledgeable speakers on asylum aid, trafficking, age assessments. Get your ticket here: gcnchambers.co.uk/event/migran...

if people can’t apply for family to join them after their successful asylum applications, more women and children will be forced to make illegal and dangerous journeys to the UK, rather than sending male relatives first who later plan to reunite with family. this is: obvious.

A coalition of orgs including @rfuk.bsky.social, @migrantvoice.bsky.social, @ramfel.bsky.social, @praxisprojects.bsky.social and @gmiau.bsky.social urges all MPs to participate in the Westminster Hall Debate on 8/9 about gov's plans to extend time needed to reach settlement. Why is this crucial?🧵

1/ 🧵Family reunion is one of the only safe routes for refugees to reach the UK, yet the Gov is making it harder. This shortsighted policy will only force people onto dangerous journeys to be with their families when the safe, legal option is taken away.

📣UPCOMING EVENT: We’re proud to be co-hosting the North West Migrants’ Rights Conference 'Humanising the rhetoric: through law, communities and understanding' with Garden Court North Chambers on 30 September 2025. Get your FREE ticket: gcnchambers.co.uk/event/migran... We hope to see you there 🙂

It is time for hotel accommodation to end with a proper PLAN and FUNDING from Govt. which INCLUDES asylum-seekers as part of our communities and not some "other" that doesn't belong here. They are here, they do belong, they are the public. Treat them that way.

Recently the Government has announced changes to both the ‘move on period’ and to Aspen cards, both of which will directly impact people living in asylum accommodation. The changes came with no warning and without consultation. Read what we know about the changes, and what we think about them:

📣 New resources for social workers! The brilliant @gmiau.bsky.social has launched 2 key, practical guides to support social workers helping children in care with resolving their immigration status: tinyurl.com/5shm8smz LAUNCH & FREE TRAINING EVENT: Thurs 11th Sep 10-11:30am: tinyurl.com/6a35yr3s

The government plans to cut the refugee move-on period from 56 to just 28 days - giving people barely four weeks to find work, housing, and support after years stuck in the asylum system. Let’s be clear: this isn’t a plan. It’s punishment.

Join us on 30 September 2025 for the North West Migrant Rights Conference! This will be an inspiring day filled with insightful, thought-provoking, and practical discussions, led by a brilliant line-up of speakers from across the sector. We’d love to see you there - it's an event not to be missed!

A reminder that we are celebrating the launch of our 2 new guides on 11th September! Please sign up and join us. We hope to see you there 👇🎟️

@gmiau.bsky.social are urging social workers in Manchester to protect children in care who may be living without secure immigration status 👇 socialcare.today/2025/08/26/h... #socialcare #care #childsafety #immigration

🚨Vital conversations about violence against women and girls are being hijacked by an anti-migrant agenda. We've joined 200 organisations to urge the Government to address this dangerous weaponisation of VAWG. It is #NotInOurName. Read the full statement: t.co/cY0kccRwDI

Far-right anger over asylum hotels is destroying the very idea of refuge – and that’s probably the goal | Zoe Williams

From our February 2024 statement on housing injustice, asylum hotels and the housing crisis. Today more than ever, people seeking safety are facing racist abuse, scapegoated for a crisis they played no part in causing. Read it here: gmiau.org/housing-just...

🚨Vital conversations about violence against women are being hijacked by an anti-migrant agenda. We've joined 200 organisations to urge the Government to address this dangerous weaponisation of VAWG. It is #NotInOurName. Read more: www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

🚨 Vital conversations about violence against women are being hijacked by an anti-migrant agenda. We're one of 200 organisations working to end violence against women urging the government to address the harmful and dangerous weaponisation of VAWG #NotInOurName

🚨 New Legal Guide for people detained under the UK–France deal 🚨 Includes: What to do if you get a Notice of Intent, key deadlines, template letters, bail info & more. The Home Office are moving fast to detain under the policy, so please read and share widely: www.biduk.org/articles/new...

What we know about the UK–France ‘one in, one out’ small boats agreement - from @gmiau.bsky.social: gmiau.org/one-in-one-o...

Join us and @refugeecouncil.bsky.social for the launch of the age assessment toolkit on 19th August 2-3pm. Join the teams call for the launch here: tinyurl.com/5dk8wdms

🚨 New guides launched! Two practical tools for social workers supporting children in care with immigration + citizenship issues. 🔗 Download both here: gmiau.org/new-guides-f... 🗓️ Free online launch & training – 11 Sept, 10am: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gmiau-chil...

📣UPCOMING EVENT: We’re proud to be co-hosting the North West Migrants’ Rights Conference 'Humanising the rhetoric: through law, communities and understanding' with @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social on 30 September 2025. Get your FREE ticket: gcnchambers.co.uk/event/migran...

Today we join over 200 organisations to stand in solidarity with those affected by the recent anti-refugee protests, many of whom have already fled unimaginable horrors to try to find safety. This must be a turning point. 🧡 #TogetherWithRefugees @refugeestogether.bsky.social Full statement:

🧵1/ Everyone has a right to due process, whether or not they were born in this country. Deporting people before they have had a chance to appeal denies people that and puts people at risk of major miscarriages of justice. Expanding this scheme is only "fueling the crisis" and will cause harm👇.

For years, consecutive govts have used migrants & refugees as scapegoats. "It's a cynical, idiotic doom loop" A doom loop that requires a new level of cruelty with each iteration to keep up with the hysteria it creates. Read @nesrinemalik.bsky.social's latest⬇️ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

NEW BLOG POST: explaining the UK–France “one in, one out” treaty - which lets the UK return small boat arrivals to France, while taking in the same number who didn’t cross👇 It's branded a “safe route" but in reality it will force people into even more dangerous journeys, putting more lives at risk.

See the latest opportunity to work with the wonderful @boaztrust.bsky.social 👇!

Have you signed up to our monthly newsletter? We share our news, publications, resources, and updates from staff every month to keep you up to date with the work being done at GMIAU. July's newsletter: mailchi.mp/gmiau/our-ne... 🌟Sign up here: gmiau.org/contact/#new...

❗We've added more FREE training sessions dates! Do you support people with no recourse to public funds or limited access to mainstream accommodation? Here are the details for our FREE upcoming training sessions for Aug-Dec 2025.

When the "protesters" give up and go home, the people who were forced to live in the hotels that have become targets for hatred will live with the trauma and terror for years. No one should have to cope with this kind of abuse. The Government must step up to safeguard sanctuary seekers now.