Skip to main content

Impact of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) on immigration and asylum examined

20 April 2020

The Home Affairs Committee hears from representatives of the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association, Free Movement, the Refugee Council, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants and Detention Action on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the immigration, asylum and detention systems.

Witnesses

Tuesday 21 April

At 9.30am

  • Adrian Berry, Chair, Immigration Law Practitioners' Association
  • Colin Yeo, Founder, Free Movement

At 10.30am

  • Andy Hewett, Head of Advocacy, Refugee Council
  • Chai Patel, Legal Policy Director, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
  • Bella Sankey, Director, Detention Action

Purpose of the session

The Committee will be aiming to:

  • Explore the impact of Covid-19 on the immigration system and visa-holders, and listen to views on the Government's response;
  • Learn more about the issues facing migrants and asylum seekers, assess whether changes are required to the provision of support to those in the asylum system, and look at concerns around government policy on 'no recourse to public funds';
  • Examine the Government's policy relating to immigration detention during the Covid-19 crisis and the adequacy of protective measures recently implemented in detention centres. 

 Further information

Image: Pixabay