Refugees reuniting with families in the UK face huge crackdown under new rules

Refugees trying to reunite with their family members who already live in the UK are facing new challenges as the rules are reformed.

New applications to the existing refugee family reunion route are being suspended this week, which means refugees trying to reach the UK will be covered by ‘the same family migration rules and conditions as everyone else’.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the Labour government is trying to prevent criminal gangs from using family reunion to encourage more people to attempt dangerous Channel small boat crossings.

She said the suspension will be temporary while the Home Office works on changes to the asylum and family reunion systems, hoped to be rolled out next spring.

But the Refugee Council fears the changes will ‘push more desperate people into the arm